Diploma Programme (piano), Dropping the weakest piece Options

[barcarolle]

Hello - I may be posting this in the wrong area but I would appreciate people's thoughts on an idea I have for my diploma programme. The exam's next Monday. I'm playing:

Bach prelude & fugue in F# minor book 1
Beethoven Sonata in C Minor opus 10 no.1
Brahms Ballade in G Minor Opus 118
Faure Barcarolle

I'm really happy with everything except the Brahms which I think is weak and likely to fall apart under pressure (it falls apart even when not under pressure)! When it goes well it is great though! There are loads of big jumps and chords all to be played at speed. I had the idea last night of just not playing Brahms. The programme's 35 minues with him and 30 without. I know it's a cop out but everything else is great and I don't want to be let down by a poor performance of Brahms. I did think I could throw it in at the end if everything's going really well and I'm feeling confident.... that would surprise the examiners! What do people think?

[elidatrading]

Hello - I may be posting this in the wrong area but I would appreciate people's thoughts on an idea I have for my diploma programme.  The exam's next Monday.  I'm playing:

Bach prelude & fugue in F# minor book 1
Beethoven Sonata in C Minor opus 10 no.1
Brahms Ballade in G Minor Opus 118
Faure Barcarolle

I'm really happy with everything except the Brahms which I think is weak and likely to fall apart under pressure (it falls apart even when not under pressure)!  When it goes well it is great though!  There are loads of big jumps and chords all to be played at speed.  I had the idea last night of just not playing Brahms.  The programme's 35 minues with him and 30 without.  I know it's a cop out but everything else is great and I don't want to be let down by a poor performance of Brahms.  I did think I could throw it in at the end if everything's going really well and I'm feeling confident.... that would surprise the examiners!  What do people think?

The programme length is OK without it? Then drop it!

Liz

[katyjay]

Barcarolle

Do those timings include your transitions, i.e. closing one book and opening the next, and composing yourself ready to play again?

If not, then definitely drop the Brahms. You'll find yourself OK for time.

Cheers

Katyjay

[Fen]

Hi Barcarolle,

If it's going to panic you, either drop it, or play it and play it second or third - start and finish on a high note as it were.
I don't think you can drop it in "depending on how things go" - remember that your programme notes have to reflect what you play, and you hand those to the examiners at the start... :)

[SteveHopwood]

I agree with everybody else. This piece has immense potential for disaster.

Steve

[sania]

Hi Barcarolle!
Anyway I hope you can do your best for your exam what ever do you decide.
Hope everything will go well n DO YOUR BEST n HAVE MUCH CONFIDENT :)

[barcarolle]

Hi all thanks for your comments - I have decided to drop it! Now the next dilemma is that my page turner has dropped out!

[sania]

Hi Barcarolle!
When is your exam, is it on 11th or 18th?

[elidatrading]

Hi all thanks for your comments - I have decided to drop it!  Now the next dilemma is that my page turner has dropped out!

That shouldn't be a major problem. Someone there will do it I'm sure. Where is the exam?

Liz

[barcarolle]

My exam's on 18th in London. I think I'll put a post up in the student area here and see if anyone fancies earning a bit of money that morning page turning for me! Have tried almost everything / everyone else I can think of.