Overplayed Piano Pieces for College Auditions

Been preparing for piano auditions and I'm worried that my choices are too cliché. Anyone have any idea what pieces tend to be overplayed and might not stand out?

Certain pieces indeed tend to be prevalent in college auditions, mainly due to their popularity and piano teaching traditions. However, it's also essential to remember that if a piece showcases your technical ability and musical expressiveness, it can still be successful, regardless of its popularity.

That being said, here are some works you might want to reconsider due to their frequency in auditions, especially since these pieces might not allow your audition to shine as uniquely :

1. Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata," specifically the 1st and 3rd movements.

2. Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op. 3, No. 2.

3. Chopin's Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23.

4. Liszt's "La Campanella."

5. Debussy's "Claire de Lune."

If you decide to choose less frequently performed pieces, it might make your audition unique. However, it's critical not to sacrifice your level of comfort and proficiency with the piece purely for the sake of uniqueness. Your interpretative skills and technical security should always be the primary focus, rather than the rarity of the chosen repertoire.

Also, consider discussing this with your piano teacher. They can provide excellent guidance considering they know your playing strengths and which pieces will show your musicianship in the best light.