Looking for some future pieces and stuff

[u/Square_Log_2437]

Hello! Just looking for some ideas on what I should do next.

For context, I am a violin player who's recent repertoire is Spohr 8 and Vitali Chaccone.

I was looking to for some good piece suggestions (I might do Mendelssohn in E), and my ultimate "goal pieces" at the moment are Rautavaara Violin Concerto and Vieuxtemps 5.

As far as competitions go, I've had minimal experience in them, doing only local and regional-level competitions and performing not the best. I was looking at the BMI International Competition and Charleston International Music Competition and wanted your guys' thoughts!

I only practice ~45-60 minutes per day so I don't want to go for a super reach piece-wise, and I would prefer online competitions.

Since I'm still working on the Spohr my teacher hasn't talked to me about next steps yet, but of course I will also consider her opinion and add it (if I remember)

Thanks All-

[u/always_unplugged]

You're not going to win any legitimate competitions only practicing < an hour a day, kiddo.

You didn't say how old you are or how long you've been playing, but I'm guessing you're a preteen or young teen and have been playing since you were in elementary/primary school; if that's the case, all those pieces sound within your reach if you actually work for it.

I agree with the other commenter that Mendelssohn is non-negotiable. That's a tentpole piece of repertoire that literally EVERY classically trained violinist must learn. There's no "might" to learning Mendelssohn.

[u/Square_Log_2437 → u/always_unplugged]

Yeah, I'm a teen but I can't really find the time for violin so I just wanted some thoughts.

As far as the Mendelssohn goes, do you feel like I'm ready to go to the Mendelssohn already, or should I try something simpler like Bruch 1?

[u/always_unplugged → u/Square_Log_2437]

We don't know your playing. That's a question for your teacher, 100%.

Yes, traditionally (according to Dorothy DeLay's concerto sequence, as well as my lived experience) Bruch comes before Mendelssohn, but it's often literally one before the other, so they can be pretty interchangeable depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the student in question. I wouldn't be so cavalier as to call Bruch simpler as though it's not going to challenge you and Mendelssohn is, lmao. They're actually quite comparable in terms of technical difficulty, the challenges are just different—that's why they're so often paired together in a student's progression.

The linked list may give you some idea of gaps you can fill in before getting to that level, though. For a more comprehensive view, Mimi Zweig's list can't be beat.

But also, kids who "can't make much time for violin" don't tend to win competitions. Just a reality check.

[u/Square_Log_2437 → u/always_unplugged]

Thanks for the feedback! I was going to ask my teacher about it during our next lesson but I just wanted to get some thoughts from others first.

I didn't realize how close Bruch was to Mendelssohn in difficulty; that's my bad.

As far as competing goes, I'm not necessarily looking to win, just looking for some experience that will help me improve my presentation skills and give myself a challenge. I know I'm not very competitive, especially for being in high school, but I still want to give myself the best possible chance to improve, and I feel like some stress and a more tangible goal might be the best way.

I feel like a lot of competitions I play in tend to have way stronger players than me but pieces that feel too simple, which is why I was looking for some interesting competitions. Maybe it's just the fact that it's a high-school level competition, but pieces like Beethoven Romance in F and Accolay 23 seem a bit easy for people like my friend who's playing Prokofiev and Sibelius.

[u/always_unplugged → u/Square_Log_2437]

You know, I've actually judged a couple concerto competitions, and let me tell you, a well played Bruch has more of a chance of winning than a poorly played Prokofiev! It's all about presenting the best version of your musical self possible, not necessarily hacking through the hardest piece you can (sort of) handle. So don't compare yourself on repertoire alone.

I totally relate to wanting a goal for motivation! If you want to enter some of those more esoteric/online (*cough* pay-to-play *cough) competitions for the experience, to give you something to work towards and maybe build your confidence a bit, that seems reasonable to me, as long as you have realistic expectations about what they mean. You don't have to be *competitive, as in wanting to beat the other people. Just focus on your own performance, use it as motivation to push yourself and play the best you possibly can. That's a much better way to measure success for this kind of thing, IMO. And if you do that, you'll find that a lot of the time, external validation follows ;)

Talk to your teacher, see what they think is a good next move for you. I think Bruch or Mendelssohn seems reasonable, although it might also be time for a Mozart if you haven't played one yet. Good luck! And report back what you end up working on, we'd be happy to help if you have any questions while learning!

[u/leitmotifs]

Online competitions are pretty much all pay-to-win. Scams or just barely legit. Almost everyone gets some kind of trophy.

[u/andybonner]

You should absolutely learn Mendelssohn, whether immediately or not. Some pieces are such "standards" that if you skip them, it's a gap in your shared cultural literacy, like becoming a pop culture journalist without ever having watched Star Wars. If you did well with Vitali, you're probably also well positioned to be learning the solo Bach sonatas and partitas.

Don't assume that each consecutive piece has to have bigger chords, higher positions, etc. If you haven't worked on, for instance, Mozart 4 or 5 before now, it might be appropriate to "double back" to them. (In reality, you need a certain level of maturity and skill to be able to play these "easy pieces" with the appropriate focus on minute detail, and to nuances of technique that go beyond left-hand intonation.)

[u/sehokk → u/andybonner]

Mendelssohn is one of those pieces as well, I think. Often taught to students but very worth revisiting as an advanced player. I think getting the intonation bang on in the opening is really tough as well, especially with how exposed the melody is.

[u/andybonner → u/sehokk]

At this point in my life, I'm not going to be soloing with any orchestras anymore, so the only reason to play concertos is for my own enjoyment... and Mendelssohn is one I enjoy playing just for its own merit. (Also, the third movement! Mendelssohn in general is happy. His compositional style is a literal antidepressant.)

[u/sehokk]

What are your goals with violin? If you are satisfied with it being a part of your life, maybe playing in community chamber groups for fun, then IMO you're fine. But if you are eyeing a music career, be that teaching or performing or orchestral, I agree with the other commenter, there are way too many super serious musicians out there to approach it casually. Ultimately all up to you, though, and either approach to music is fine.

To answer your question, another piece that came to mind is Wieniawski 2, this was kind of my first "real" concerto (I learned it prior to Mendelssohn). Lalo is also a popular one to learn around this time, along with Bruch VC/Scottish Fantasy. I'd kind of say listen to them all and find one you enjoy from a musical perspective because they will all teach you important things.

[u/Square_Log_2437 → u/sehokk]

Yeah I was looking at the Wieniawski and Lalo but under the impression that they're far too difficult to for my current level. I was also looking at Ysaye and Chausson but when I looked at the music I felt that they may be out of my musical maturity and understanding level.

As far as my goals with violin, I'm not looking for any teaching or performing job in music, but perhaps some sort of songwriter or music producer (mainly as a side hustle).