Yet another potential DipABRSM Piano programme up for constructive criticism:

Scarlatti Sonatas in E Minor K. 263 and E Major K. 264
Haydn Andante con Variazioni in F Minor, Hob.XVII / 6
Brahms Rhapsody in G Minor, Op. 79 no. 2
Prokofiev Visions Fugitives, nos. 8 , 14, 19 & 20 from Op.22

This is still in the very early stages for me, so any comments or suggestions are very welcome.
Total timing is around 32-34 minutes (very approx.)

Thanks for your help, in advance.

denmark77

It ticks all the boxes: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th Century, and a wide range of techniques, tempo, and mood. Should be fine. Good luck.

Just have to say that I LOVE the Brahms ... so stormy! Good luck with your exam!

Yes, looks good. I love playing those Haydn Variations.

Good programme

. . . .BUT . . .

. . . the Brahms is a bit hackneyed and therefore perhaps better to avoid (the same applies to Beethoven's Pathetique and Moonlight sonatas). Still, it's on the list so if you think you can do it justice go for it. Good luck.

Yes Robodoc, I too was wondering whether the Brahms was a good choice, given its popularity. I rarely hear it played nowadays though, so perhaps it's due for a revival...I think scifi-karis is with me there ! That said, I usually steer well clear of popular pieces for the reasons of hackney-avoidance, so that's the one exception in my programme.

Glad you too like the Haydn Variations, f#minor.

All the items are chosen for reasons of personal preference, and not with an 'audience' in mind, so I was hoping for some insightful feedback.

Thanks for all the helpful comments,

denmark

im playing brahms op118 no3 ballade. very powerful and emotional peice, if you're looking for any other alternatives

and, im also playing the prokofiev. im having difficulties in no 19 and it's speed. the version i heard on the cd my piano teacher lent me was at breakneck speed. what speed would you suggest for no19?

My recording of No 19 lasts 39 seconds. You can work out the metronome marking by counting the bars !!

My recording of no 19 - Michel Beroff - lasts for 36 seconds, so is certainly at breakneck speed...

I think the feeling of panic which the piece seems to require (agitatissimo)is achievable at slower speeds though. Never really tried setting a metronome for it, to be honest...

denmark


Welcome, bella, by the way

Thanks too for the suggestion of the Brahms Ballade, op. 118, no 3. I'll consider it...

denmark

Your programme is not bad.

thanks for the welcoming

for no 19, i find it a little weird... firstly, i cant get the speed right, which, im sure i'll get someday when i get the time to work on it. but, does anyone find those accents a little wierd? are they supposed to pop up out of the rest of the ntoes? as in, POP UP? in the cd, the accents suddenly shouts out, which makes me jump up.
are these jumpy accents to be played that way?

Ha ha I loved your description of the 'jumpy' accents in no 19 of the Visions...

Yes, my recording has accents which make me rise suddenly in my seat to, but that, I reckon, is the composer's intention (agitatissimo, remember). It reminds me of some of the scarier sections of its close contemporaryThe Rite of Spring ... wildly syncopated and with irregular accents, so impossible to predict where the next one is coming....

Now I have not had chance to discuss this with my tutor yet, but for what its worth, let the accents jump I say.... Prokofiev is rekowned for the percussive style of some of his music anyway.

Denmark