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Hi all,

I have been self-learning for my LTCL exams and I would like to play Rachmaninoff's Etude Tableaux Op.33 No.3 and 8. However, the requirement is to play two contrasting etudes from Op.33.
May I ask what you think of my choice of No.3 and 8? Do you think the examiner would penalize me for it not being contrasting enough?

My full LTCL programme is:
- Haydn Sonata in E Flat XVI 45
- Chopin Ballade No. 1 in G minor
- Rachmaninoff Etude Tableaux Op.33 No. 3 & 8
- Debussy Et la lune descend sur le temple qui fut (from Images Bk.2)

May I also ask if my programme is balanced on the whole? (I wonder if the programme is overly slanted towards slow-tempo, due to my choice of the Debussy and Rachmaninoff pieces)

Thank you!

I agree that there is not enough contrast between the Rachmaninoff Op. 33, No. 3 (C minor) and the Op. 33, No. 8 (G minor). Are the two Rachmaninoff Etudes a specific requirement, or is it a question of if you play Rachmaninoff Etudes they have to be contrasting? In other words, is Rachmaninoff an optional choice or a requirement?

The first movement of the Haydn is marked "Moderato", and, of course, the Debussy is "Lent"; I would say that you don't have enough contrast in your program.

I strongly believe that you need some work with a "crispness" or briskness to it - a Baroque work or something from the 20th century. Apart from the Haydn, everything else on the programme is decidedly Romantic or later without much mood contrast.

Let's cleanse the palate a bit with something a little less cloying!

Regards,

The best way is to ask yourself: Would you go to listen to someone else playing your programme?

I agree with BruceD - you need more contrast.

I think you should finish with something fast, like Debussy's Feux d'artifice. Or even Golliwog's Cakewalk.

And definitely not two slow, solemn Rachmaninov études-tableaux.

Thank you Bruce D and Bennevis! I appreciate your advices.

@BruceD, the Rachmaninoff pieces are optional, just that they need to be contrasting if I choose to play them. Thank you for the advice on including a baroque work! I’ll be playing Scarlatti Sonata in G minor and G major (K426 & K427) instead of the Rachmaninoff etudes.
@Bennevis, I’ve also decided to play Debussy’s Homage a Rameau (Images Bk. 1) and Ondine from Preludes Bk. 2, for a more interesting variety of colours.

The new programme looks like:
Scarlatti Sonata K426 & K427
Haydn Sonata in E Flat XVI 45
Chopin Ballade No. 1 in G minor
Debussy Homage a Rameau
Debussy Ondine

Do you think this is a good programme?

Thank you!

Yes, that's a reasonable programme.

Great, thank you Bennevis!