Hi
I am looking at my programme for grade 8 at the end of the year and would value opinions on which of two possible programmes to play
selection 1
A - Shostakovich Prelude and Fugue in Eb
B- Mozart Allegro moderato, Sonata in C K330 1st mvt
C- Chopin Polonaise in C min Op 40 no2

or
selection 2
A- Scarlatti Sonata in D Kp 535
B- Schubert Allegro moderato, Sonata in E 1st mvt
C- Albeniz - Castilla Op 47

I was trying to get a mix of pieces in different key signatures, different periods and different styles.
Which programme do you think is nicer and does anyone have any comments on the difficulty of any of these pieces or hiccups your students have found

Thanks

It depends entirely on your own strengths and weaknesses. I have heard, for what it's worth, that examiners are not too keen on programmes that are particularly long. Also, don't underestimate Mozart - making a good job of a classical sonata, with clarity and precision, and total rhythmic stability, not to mention subtlety, without romanticising, is more difficult than a lot of people imagine! It's all in the touch.

Good luck, whatever you do!

Out of the two I personally prefer the latter.

For interest I'm doing (running order):

Mozart Sonata in C K330 1st Movement
Handel Suite no 6 in f minor Prelude and Fuga
Albeniz Suite Espagnole Op 47 Casilla

Your idea of creating a programme containg variety is a good one. It's also nice to see your not sticking to the Purple book, or playing the Debussy Arabesque. Beautiful piece that it is, from previous posting it does appear rather popular.

I would choose selection 1- the Chopin was one of my pieces- and is very satisfying to perform to examiner/ other concerts etc. The Mozart is also good- but not too difficult.
BUt you may have small hands/ weak little finger on your right hand (it is used alot in the Chopin)/ or want to do the other selection... you have to choose yourself

The Albeniz is wicked! I love it! My teacher thinks it's a really good "finisher" - a great piece to end on (if it goes well!).

Hi,..
I Choose Scarlatti Sonata in D Minor (List A)
Clementi Sonata in G, Op.37 No.2 (List
Mendelssohn Scherzo in E Minor,Op. 16 No.2 (List C)

When u guys having the exam? Do anyone of u guys choose the abovementioned pieces?

Good luck!!


Cheers,
Liz

I don't know the individual pieces or your playing, but just as programmes on paper I would definitely go for the first one. So refreshing to see someone choosing music by a recent composer, and a truly great one too. I find the fact that one can be considered a "grade 8 pianist" without playing a note of music written in the past 150 years deeply shocking. So far every time a new ABRSM piano syllabus has appeared I have looked at the Grade 8 repertoire appalled. I want to see exam boards stretching the ears of teachers and pupils with new music, encouraging them to support living composers, not just lining the pockets of the publishers of long dead ones.

End of rant.

Albeniz dates are 1860-1909, so in my recogning, His Suite Espagnole Op 47 composed in 1886 was actually composed in the last 150 years. And as it is an excellent example of Nationalism, and is very forwrd looking, even the modernists about your should appreciate this as a piece to balance a more traditional repertoire.

I'm sure that Musicmannz has experienced the wonderful amount of 20th Century Piano Music en route to Grade 8 that not selecting any for his exam should not be a problem.