June 17, 200619 yr Hello everyone! I am new to this forum (new as in, this is my first thread here), and I discovered it while searching about fugue theory (and I bumped on a thread with a fugue composition exercise, which I would be very interesting doing when I finish some other things I have to do). Anyway, next year I am having a recital for my school's music course, and as a graduate, in the exams, I will have to compose three pieces (which I will start doing after I read some books suggested in the forums and after I gain some experience on composing), and I also have to perform 20 minutes in front of an audience, and this performance is recorded and sent to be graded. I'd like your opinion on what pieces I should play. I am not attending courses at an Odeon, so I can't really tell you my level, however, I will tell you which pieces I have selected (and which ones of those I have already learned), and I want you to tell me your opinion on these, and make any suggestions. Thanks a lot! (btw, these exams are next year, in January, so I have plenty of time, if you think the pieces you are about to suggest is long or whatever) Beethoven's "Tempest" Sonata for piano, first movement (already learned) - around 8 minutes Debussy's Arabesque No.2 (learning) - around 5 minutes Bach's Sinfonia (aka Three-Voice invention) in D minor (learning) - around 2 minutes Schumann's Romance No.2, Op.28 - around 4 minutes Brahms' Waltz in D minor (op.39) - around 1 and a half minute Tchaikovsky's "June" from the Seasons (Barcarolle) - about 5-6 minutes So, all of this makes us around 25 minutes, which is perfect (I need around 20-25 minutes of performance). I already know the Beethoven Sonata almost perfectly (and I find it rather 'medium' concerning difficulty in playing), and I am learning the Debussy and Bach right now, so, if you could, please suggest me to replace other pieces than those. Thanks a lot! :( ;) :) Take care!
July 10, 200619 yr You do not have enough classical. Beethoven's Tempest Sonata borders being classical and romantic. I really think you should play say...the first mvt. of Haydn's Piano Sonata No. 36 in C sharp minor. Spectacular piece and it will fill the hole of the lack of classical music.
July 10, 200619 yr I'd say ditch the Brahms waltz. While it's easy and short, it's way overdone. Maybe try something Rachmaninoff? His Prelude in G minor is beautiful, and rather similar in feel to that waltz.
July 11, 200619 yr if you have a recital to prepare for exams, doesn't your teacher help you decide what to play? as a teacher myself, I'd say that the repertoire you've chosen has too many short pieces. I would have selected 3 solid pieces from varying repertoires: an entire Bach suite a late classical or romantic sonata one 20th century piece I don't know, maybe your school has different prerequisites? if this is examination repertoire, you surely have clear and specific guidelines to follow for choosing your pieces.
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