So I know this is a big can of worms but I thought I would post it anyway (it appeared in a previous entry but I thought it belonged in it's own post). I think that for those of us who do this for a living this is one of the most difficult tasks we have, especially with the amount of new works coming out right now. So here is where I begin:

1) Is the writing idiomatic to the instruments?
2) Does it give some sort of emotional response to the listener or performer (this can be good or bad but it needs to make us react somehow. Too much recent music leaves me with little feeling at all)?
3) Does it challenge the listener in some way?
4) Does it give us something we haven't heard before?
5) Is there a significant historical reason for doing the work (i.e. is it standard rep., a first of some sort etc.)?
6) Do I need more time to truly see and hear what all is there or is it all right on the surface? By the same token, can the piece grow and develop over time (get better with age per se)?
7) Is there a specific pedagogical reason for doing the piece?
8) What is the intended audience for the program? Community, Academic, Children? I think this is what sometimes makes it the hardest.

Being in a university setting I know that I can play pieces that are more "challenging" to the audience. On the other hand I keep a program of works that is not so "challenging" (i.e. less avant garde maybe?) for other areas. I do make it a point however to include at least one piece that the average audience (in the case of myself I think of my parents, neither of whom are musicians) might find more difficult to listen to. Interestingly enough though these are the pieces that get the most "buzz" after a performance. Keep in mind however that sometimes the best pieces I run up against are the most basic in construction (a great melody, wonderful chords, simple rhythm......) so it is far from an exact science.

Granted these are not all the questions I ask but I have to start somewhere. I also think this is a topic that is not discussed enough with students! They will be making these decisions one day, and they are also who will decide the future of our repertoire.