I know this isn't an ABRSM exam but I would like people's opinions on the program I am thinking of assembling for the practical component to my grade 10 RCM exam (roughly equivalent to diploma-level).

I have to play 5 pieces, one from 5 different lists that each represent one major musical period.

List A (Baroque) - Prelude and Fugue in F Sharp Major, WTC Book 1 by JS Bach
List B (Classical) - Piano Sonata No. 32 in b minor by Haydn
List C (Romantic) - Waltz in e minor, Op. Posthumous by Chopin

Lists D and E are still vary much in debate but I've narrowed down the possibilities to a handful of choices.

List D (20th Century Part 1) - Nocturne in B Flat Major Op. 37 by Faure or Three Preludes by Gershwin or a Debussy Prelude
List E (20th Century Part 2) - Six Little Piano Pieces Op. 19 by Schoenberg or Nocturne Op. 33 by Barber

I'm probably leaning more towards the Faure nocturne or the Gershwin Preludes (which are actually listed as on the Associate's list, the next level up, but I'm allowed to make one substitution if I choose) in list D and the Barber nocturne in list E. I know I probably shouldn't do two nocturnes though.

So what does everyone think? I have already started work on the first three pieces this summer as part of my first university assignment, and my professor and I haven't discussed List D and List E but he usually lets his students set their own programs.

If anyone has any suggestions for list D or E they are quite welcome.

You can make only one substitution from the same list of the next higher grade.

Barber's Nocturne was on the ARCT list. Has it been moved down to Grade 10 in the new syllabus?

If the Barber is still on the ARCT list, then you cannot prepare both the Gershwin Preludes and the Barber Nocturne for Grade 10.

Here are some suggestions for Grade 10 List D:
Rachmaninoff, Prelude in C# Minor
Debussy, Des pas sur la neige, Le serenade interrompue, Minstrels from Preludes, Book I
Debussy, Passepied, Claire de lune from Suite Bergamesque
Debussy, Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum, Serenade of the Doll from Children's Corner
Manuel de Falla, some sort of dance (can't remember the title, but it's in the Grade 10 book)


Grade 10 List E:
Bartok, Six Dances in Bulgarian Rhythm from Mikrokosmos, Book 6
Bartok, Three Rondos on Folk Tunes
Copland, Four Piano Blues
Kabalevsky, Variations in A Minor, Op. 40 no. 2 (quite easy, actually)
Shostakovich, Three Fantastic Dances
Harry Somers, Strangeness of Heart (only three pages long and quite easy)


I don't have access to the syllabus, so this is all I can do at this moment.

You're right, you can only make one substitution but Barber's Nocturne is now on the grade 10 list.

Thanks for you suggestions. Though I have decided to choose between the Gershwin preludes or the Faure nocturne for the list D. Playing a Debussy prelude strikes me as being expected on the grade 10 exam, so I figure I'll be different. The list E is still undecided though. I could go more or less with anything. The pieces you suggested are quite good and I've seen them on the syllabus. I'll be sure to think of them because you recommended them.

The Bartok Rondos are good fun and not overly difficult. I also like the Shost Three Fantastic Dances, but I find them a bit awkward.

I think I've finalized the program.

List A: Prelude and Fugue in F Sharp Major, WTC Book 1 by Bach
List B: Sonata No. 32 in b minor by Haydn
List C: Waltz in e minor, Op. Posth by Chopin
List D: Three Preludes by Gershwin
List E: Six Little Piano Pieces by Schoenberg

What does everyone think?

Well I'd enjoy hearing it

That looks a nice well balanced programme

If I were the teacher, I would be inclined to include an "easy" piece or two for an average Grade 10 student. The jump from Grade 9 to Grade 10 is quite big in the RCM exams. Also, the five pieces are longer and must be memorized. There are also two studies and a long list of required scales, chords, and arpeggios (three times as long as what a student has to do for AB Grade 8).

But if you are starting a music degree at uni, I think your programme is just fine. In my experience, many pianists (even the ones not majoring in performance) enter first year with the ARCT already in hand.

Which uni are you attending, btw? Good luck with the preparation.

I am aware of the jump from grade 9 to grade 10. It was definitely quite difficult, but now I'm comfortably in grade 10 and will probably jump into ARCT-level study comfortably sometime after Christmas. The reason why I'm actually doing the exam is because my professor wants me to get my ARCT in performance and the grade 10 exam is a prerequisite.

I am starting a university music program, eventually majoring in performance (entrance by audition after first-year). I will be attending Brandon University under Alexander Tselyakov. Thanks for your well-wishes.

I wasn't aware that Tselyakov teaches at Brandon. How wonderful!

He's been there since 2006 I believe. I guess you know him, or have seen him in concert?

Several years ago he gave a recital in my hometown. It was unfortunate that I couldn't make it. The recital programme was the complete Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1.

Really? That must have been exciting. Too bad you couldn't go. Do you know how the recital was received? I know he has a great reputation as a pianist, but I'm anxious to hear what you have to say.