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I am currently looking to apply at Auburn University next year and minor in music (with an emphasis in piano). Auburn requires students to play two contrasting pieces from the baroque, classical, or romantic periods, and the typical scales, at minor auditions. The two pieces I am currently looking at are Bach's prelude and fugue in A minor from the first book of the Well Tempered Clavier, and Beethoven's sonata Pethatique, first movement (intro included). I would greatly appreciate any other recommendations for my audition. I would also gretly appreciate any tips about practicing, auditioning, etc. for my audition from my fellow pianist.

Thanks, Collie

I'll be glad to give you some recommendations.

Carl Maria von Weber- Piano Sonata No. 2: IV. Rondo; This would be a great piece that exposes the capability of the performer's lyricalism and virtuosity.

Mily Balakirev- Mazurka No. 1 in A-flat major; Rather than being written in the early part of the nineteenth century like the Weber, this was completed in 1884. It is also composed by a composer of Russian nationality rather than German, and an attentive listener can definitely tell by its Russian nationalistic tone. It is played briskly unlike the smooth legato approach in the Weber, so there should be enough contrast between the two pieces.

I think the judges would enjoy listening to these two at an audition rather the usual Bach or Beethoven, so I would look into these two.

Regards

Judges like it when you go big
shock them with
Prokofiev's Five Sarcasms
or some Barber
but if you like to show off virtuosity in a different way (like more emotional rather than technical speed)
try
Chopin 24 Preludes
Rachmaninoff Piano Sonata 2

Bit difficult if you're playing the pathetique to pull off those last two.
Judges also want to hear lyricism, often more.
A (much easier than the rachmaninoff, but not easy) choice might be Schumann's Waldszenen
A second: Shostakovich's 24 Preludes and Fugues have some that are very possible but still technically worthwhile...and certainly contrasting.

I'm not a pianist, but I frequently sit on entrance auditions (we do all our instrumentalists together). So here's my two cents:

Most places absolutely require composers of contrasting period and style. Since there are very many candidates, and usually not much time, you may only get to play 2 even if they have asked for 3 pieces. So your opening order will be important to show your best.

Even with 2 pieces, you can still show fast technique plus lyricism, so your opening order must include those two. The third piece, if you get to it, can be a different period/nationality, but as to style, that's your choice. Choose a strong point for you, e.g. if your strong point is finger technique, open with finger technique, move on to lyricism, and if they want the 3rd piece, do more finger technique. Better yet, tell them what pieces you have, and ask them which they would like to hear first. They probably will tell you you can choose the order, but it can help break the ice and make the audition seem less formal.

Don't take it personally if they stop you after a few minutes of each piece. Most panels can tell after a very short while what your strong points are, so it won't be necessary to hear everything, and time is always short. Getting cut can also mean that they have already decided you are a strong player.

Lastly, the panels I work with always require scales and sight reading. Don't forget them, too!!!

If you have never heard this piece - it is a must.
Rachmaninoff's Etude-Tableaux Op. 39 No. 9 in D Major.
Technical, yes, but not vain either. Rachmaninoff apparently had
inspiration behind each of the etudes-tableax and revealed about what
3 of them were. This one at a guess would have been inspired by a
thunderstorm. Have a listen and I think you might agree with me.
A pity I cannot confirm this since he is long dead.
But it's a beautiful performance piece in every way.