I'm having some trouble trying to decide which two contrasting pieces to play for an audtion which i was just told to do which is in a couple of weeks.... The pieces that I have at the moment which are up to scratch either from my Diploma in Dec. or from just general playing are:

Syrinx - Debussy
Summer Music (Complete) - Bennett
Courrent and Sarabande from Partita in A minor - Bach
Sonata in E minor - Handel
First and 3rd movements of Flute concerto in G - Mozart
Andante Pastorale and Scherzetino - Taffanel
Caprice no.11 from 24 Caprices - Paganini

And if I was feeling brave, I could add Le merle noir to that which I could get up to scratch in a short time, I think I have my monthly lesson with David soon so I'd really like to have the chosen as soon as, but I need some help as I dont know how contrasing they need to be - fast/slow, modern/not so modern...etc etc.

Please help!!!

Le Merle Noir (no e hehe) has got me through 3 auditions in the past year! Although its a very complex piece and you should really be confident about playing it with a good interpretation rather than just being able to play the notes which is quite difficult on its own. Also playing it unaccompanied makes it harder as the piece is very much incomplete without the piano apart from the solo passages which show of technique and interpretation very well.

Do you know how long you have in the audition? I would recommend a Romantic piece, which were written to show off technique, tone and musicalilty. Generally its best to play 2 contrasting pieces of different eras and different tempos.

I would say definitely the Taffanel, especially as it has its own contrasting sections. I would be tempted to put Syrinx with it, even though it's from the same period and country, simply because it would show off another side to your playing, and it's not too long. Otherwise, how about just the Sarabande from the Partita (with the Taffanel)?

I would say either Debussy or Bennett(I love summer music - I'm playing the third movement for my A level recital but really need to work on it!) contrasting with Bach or Mozart! So Old vs New basically but it's up to you! Good luck, what's the audition for?

Lovely pieces...

My personal choice would be ... Bach (both movements) with Debussy. especially if you are playing with out the pianist.

Best wishes,
hero

the audition is for the regional concert orchestra and there wil be a pianist there to accompany me. I'm really tempted with the Paganini as I really like it and I love playing 'showy off' pieces like this one. And i do like the Scherzetino from Taffanel but I think they are too similar to play both. And I'm not sure if playing two pieces unaccompanied would look as though I'm terrible at keeping time with other people! The pianist may not be willing to sight read le merle noir, so that is probably out, and if you are not familiar with it, it can sound a bit...random, as my sister described it this evening when I played it to her!

With good reason! I'd want a few goes at it too - not just for the notes but so each of you can "tune in" to the rhythm of the other (especially in the last three pages of the piano part).

Cracking piece though.

I'm offended! RANDOM?? The piece is amazing! Only to be appreciated by those with taste

True, I just tried sight reading the piano part and I couldnt get my fingers to trill together.

I've just received a letter through the post inviting me to take part in a Master class, perhaps I could take along le merle noir and have it tidied up...

Good idea, i did Le Merle Noir in a masterclass last year with Sarah Newbold from Guildhall School of music. Whos doing this masterclass?

Its my teacher David Nicholson, he usually only comes up to Aberdeen for one day to lessons at the North East of Scotland Music School but he's coming up for two days and so staying the night and has suggested a master class for his advanced students. I'm looking forward to it - I think I'm one of those strange people who loves performing, and the more people the better!!

Yeh I'm like that! Really a show person when it comes to performing......its just slightly different for competitions because of the slight pressure on doing well...ill end up shaking with forcing horrible vibrato sometimes!

Does that mean you only get lessons once a month through your university?

Yes it does which can be a bit of a pain, there is a flute teacher that works at the college where I'm at but I complained to my lecturer because she wasn't very good and I was far better than her, she couldnt play very much beyond grade 5 which was useless for me - some people can either put up with that, or a just to frightened to say anything which is a shame, I think I'm the first person who goes out side to have lessons. The good thing is though, I get my lessons payed for me . Having a lessons once a month isn't as bad as it sounds though, it gives me a lot more time to owork on pieces and develop my own interpretation, rather than making a little progress, then going back and then being shown how to play the next bit. This way, I can go back every month, and he'll say to me something like - that is an interesting interpretaion of that phrase, it works, i've never thought of doing it that way etc... I do believe in individuality when it comes to playing. I try to get my new flute pupils to learn how to get a sound out of their flute before they come to see me, and that way, I dont just teach several flatists who sound exactly the same, they are all very individual. Its the same idea really.