What two piano pieces should I definitely include on a CD to a Julliard application?

Question

I am applying to other places as well, but I need two really impressive pieces (but not IMPOSSIBLE to play) that I can include on my Julliard application.

What do you think of "the revolutionary etude", op. 10, number 12 by chopin?

Answer 1

Well, hon, I would have to know what Julliard looks for when reviewing applications. Do they want you to be able to display an aptitude for skill in different genres - jazz, rock, standards, swing, new age, classical, and on and on... Do they want you to have strong classical training?

I play classical almost exclusively, so I can't really recommend to much from other genres.

Pretty much anything by Chopin will be impressive. I don't know what you mean by "impossible"... what's your level? The Minute Waltz is impossible to many, but would be a great display of talent if played well. The Raindrop Prelude would do well, too and Fantasie Impromptu is simply magnificent. Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata (and not the cop-out adagio cantabile movement only) is an especially diverse piece with different tempos, moods, and so on... but it's also quite long and difficult. The Moonlight Sonata is an awesome piece, and while it's technically rather easy, it's difficult to play with the proper evenness and expression, so that would be a good choice if it's a song you can play well. The downside to that piece would be that it's overplayed and is likely submitted numerous times... and on that note, whatever you do, stay away from Fur Elise. Love the song, but the admissions staff probably had dreams about that piece as many times as it must be submitted.

Whatever you decide, choose something that will display your talents and will portray you as a well-rounded musician, able to play different tempos, rhythms, styles, and so on. Good luck!

Answer 2

As a San Francisco Conservatory Alumnus, I'd say the "Revolutionary" is overworked. I'd use the "Black-key" instead, and I'd possibly put something like Debussy's Images I: Reflets dans l'eau, Scriabin's etude Op. 8 number 2 in f-sharp or perhaps the Finale from Prokofiev's 7th Piano Sonata. They don't just want technique any more. Also it all depends on what you term impossible - Ravel's Gaspard de la Nuit first movement is off-limits to me (just a composer who happens to 'play' a lot of instruments myself) but perhaps not to you. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Answer 3

Anitra's Dance - Edward Grieg

Toreador Song from the opera Carmen

If you could do an organ piece try toccata and fugue in D minor

Maple Leaf Rag - Scott Joplin

The 2 part invention - Johann Sebastian Bach

Those are some of my favorite piano pieces

Answer 4

I think that the best choice would be to show that you can play music from all different time periods well.

I honestly dont know anything about Julliard except that they're a very prestigious art school.

Good luck! =)

Answer 5

Well, I am not sure what you can play, but one of my favorite pieces is "The Mountaineer's Song" from Edvard Grieg. It is from his "Works for Piano Solo:Moods" op.73 (7 pieces for piano). It is no. 7. It is an elegant piece, but it is short at just over 3 minutes.