impressive school piece?

Question

My school holds a music competition each year and for four years in a row this boy has won by playing the piano each time. Last year he won with clair de lune and this year i think he is gonna play rachmaninoffs prelude in c# minor. Im thinking of entering for the first time and i was wondering what kind of piece would offer some worthy competition. Im half way through learning liszt sospiro but i was thinking of some of these as well; rach 18th variation paganini;moonlight sonata (poss. 3rd movement);rach op.33 no. 5; or scriabin 14 prelude e flat minor.

Any thoughts or additional ideas?

Ive never done a grade in music but i think i could learn any piece providing it sounds good.

Answer 1

I'd say you could go one of two ways, play something very famous (like rachmaninov) or play something much more obscure. The advantage of the obscure piece is the judges will actually have to LISTEN to you playing it (instead of just knowing how it goes) but may well be less likely to know if you make a mistake. If you're looking for something impressive I'd go for Romantic or later, classical and baroque pieces TEND to be easier.

So for instance some rather more obscure 20th century pieces are Lotus Land by Cyril Scott, Sonatina by Bartok, The Alcotts by Charles Ives and Three fantastic dances by Shostakovich. Some of those pieces are either atonal or outright dissonant, so it depends on you taste. Don't learn something you hate playing.

Personally I prefer 20th century music (though there's nothing wrong with some Rachmaninov, Liszt or Chopin) - I thought I'd give you some pieces that AREN'T by them for vareity.

Answer 2

It is more important that what ever you choose you play as well as you possibly can. So pick the piece that you feel you can perform the best.
Un sospiro is a great piece if you can perform it well - it should be impressive to the judges as it is interpretively difficult with wide dynamic range. Not as showy as some pieces, but if you nail it who knows?

Answer 3

Those all sound good to me! Go for something that is technically demanding but also gives room for emotional outburst! The Fantaisie-Impromptu by Chopin would be good I think. The opening passage is very impressive, and the middle section gives you a lot of scope for great expression!

Answer 4

Try maybe the Rachmaninov variations on a Theme by Paganini 11-18 as opposed to just 18, it sounds great...

Maybe something from Bach's Das Wohltemperierte Klavier?

If you don't mind my asking, what grade are you? (ABRSM)

Answer 5

I'm afraid I'm not very knowledgeable on the other composers but I would definitely go for the Paganini. His work was so intricate and difficult that they thought he must be in league with the Devil so they wouldn't bury him in consecrated ground. He wasn't buried till many years after! I hope this helps! Regards

Answer 6

If I could play, I'd go with a crowd pleaser. Something like "Hooked on Classics" has a little bit of everything, the teachers will recognize it, and it sounds very impressive:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUKejirscR8

Good luck!!

Answer 7

if you are really good try Chopin Etude Op 10-4

Maybe you´ll be able to win that piece it totally sweet more than that from your rival lol, the other its more slow than this and more complicated to understand it comes from old Russia so i think this will help you.

Answer 8

i would go for moonlight sonata. It sounds very impressive but is v.difficult to learn! good luck!

Answer 9

you enter good for you you play what you feel is right and comfotable for you.even if you dont win least you showed willing its not the winning its the taking part that matters and i wish you the very best of luck