I bought this piece of music by Gordon Jacob called Concerto for Flute and String Orchestra and I was wondering if any of you guys have played it. Since im not currently studying (due to financial reasons) I have no teacher input on the piece. Im thinking about playing it for a concerto competition. Im actually debating between this piece and Concerto in e minor by mercadante. the mercadante piece is more well known im sure, but do you have any input on this piece?

I haven't played the Jacob myself, but it's pretty well known too. I always like to pick something that will help me stand out in the auditors minds for this type of thing. If possible, I would try to find out what the other auditioners would be playing, and go in a different direction (If there's a lot of Baroque stuff on the programme, do something modern). I don't know the structure or size of the concerto competition you're entering but sometimes they will post lists of what each person is auditioning on. It might be worth while to prepare two pieces of different styles (I seem to remember you have a year to prepare....Correct me if I'm wrong), so that you can go with whatever seems to fit the bill best once you get closer.

well as far as i know im the only flutist (or at least the only one who wont make a fool of myself) auditioning. The other girl who is considering it is playing the chaminade. the way my music school does things is a bit different than you might expect. they require those who wish to audition. they go through many auditions and whatnot but they pick the best out of everyone. the person who won it last year was a pianist. and we play at the end-of-the-year concert, which is broadcast on the local news station as well as a radio station. i have a few months and im farther along on the mercadante than the jacob, but i just bought the jacob. i could easily do both but i want something that will make the judge, then eventually the audience, go WOW. theyre two separate pieces from two separate eras and ive enver actually heard the jacob concerto before (unless the 60 second demo on amazon.com counts). so i have to buckle down and learn this to be able to use it as an audition by october. i know i can do it, im just apprehensive about both.

Well, if it's in October (don't know why I thought it was next year), I'd have to say stick to your guns and go with the Mercadante. That's less than 3 months to have it completely ready (and it's not the easiest piece in the world), and you probably should not be splitting your attention between two separate pieces this close to the deadline. I mean, yes, you could do it, but unless you practice A LOT, the chances of having both concerti performable by then are small (especially having little to no idea of how the Jacob is played, and without a teacher to help).