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Hi,

I'm still pretty new here, so I'm not sure if questions like this have been asked before. I am currently a first year grad student pursuing a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance and have decided that I want to give a recital in the late spring. Right now, I've decided on several pieces that I want to play (it's going to be a long concert!), but I would like suggestions on a piece that's around 5-6 minutes, as well as some suggestions on the order of the pieces. Right now I'm leaning towards the program looking something like this:

Brahms - Sonata in F minor (Op. 5)

Intermission

Liszt - Un Sospiro (forgot the Op. number)
___________ (need to decide on something)
Beethoven - Op. 111

Much depends, of course, on who your audience is going to be, but

1) I would opt for a "less is more" program; audiences, no matter who they are, get restless in "long" concerts.

2) I would re-condsider the idea of programming two major Romantic piano Sonatas in one concert; it sounds to me like intellectual overload.

3) I think you need greater balance: three Romantic works - although the Liszt is light-weight, intellectually, don't constitute a balanced program.

4) I think you need to both lighten your program and vary its content.

Since each of my thoughts begins with "I", this is only my opinion.

Finally, as a grad student in a Piano Performance degree program, you have a wealth of good resources close at hand; why not ask your instructors for direction on arranging and compling your program?

Regards,

Thanks for the quick response! I do agree with your points in general, however, at this point, this concert is really more of a challenge for myself to see if I can actually pull this off. I actually haven't really discussed in depth with my teacher about playing a concert in the spring, especially since I'm already working on competing in a concerto competition (Liszt's 1st Piano Concerto), however, it's something I'd really like to do, based on some personal goals I set for myself before starting school this semester. That said, I am very open to suggestions for repertoire for a concert. I do know for sure that I'd like to play the Brahms and a Liszt Etude (either the one I mentioned or Harmonies du Soir), but other than that, I'm pretty open.

Forgot to mention that I'd like to stay away from more "modern" (20th century) pieces for this concert, as I'd like to give a recital next year of 20th century music.

I would choose another short piece by one of the three composers already on the program. You could for example put one of the late Brahms Intermezzi before the Sonata. This might sound bizarre because they are usually played in groups but I've seen it done in concert by Jerome Lowenthal.

But basically I agree with Bruce that the program is long enough already with two very major and lengthy sonatas.

Without knowing the requirements for your degree or the pieces in your repertoire, I would program a recital containing music of contrasting styles/periods. For example, have something Baroque, something Romantic, and then something 20th Century. Good luck on your recital.

From what I understand in the first post, it doesn't sound as though this is a required recital, certainly not a graduating recital, but rather one that the poster "wants" to perform.

Regards,