Im embarking on repertoire for the ALCM diploma on piano (sorry AB!! ). A requirement of this diploma is to have at least one piece by a living composer, and Im not too keen on the ones on the list (and there aren't many), or particularly of those on other board's syllabuses. It would be fine to use a piece of my own choice.

Whilst Im doing some research and lots of listening, can anyone offer a piece they like by a living composer for piano that would be of the standard required? Also something for the ear of someone who doesn't listen to or play many modern piano compositions!

An an example, i couldn't quite get into McDowall's Vespers in Venice etc.

Much appreciated.

How about something like "About Passing" by Zbigniew Preisner? Not sure if that's quite up to the standard but it's definitely very difficult to play properly.

Two living composers who write for piano and whose music usually sounds good to me are John McCabe and George Benjamin. They are both pretty good pianists, so I would expect some of their piano pieces to be pretty difficult. For a real challenge, try Eliott Carter (not quite so approachable but the sort of music that carries conviction).

You could try Richard Rodney Bennett's Excursions or Noctuary.

I like Ronald Stevenson's Peter Grimes Fantasy. Should be about the right standard (?)

I know somebody who is playing this for a Licentiate diploma.

I know this is no help whatsoever, but what happens if you start working on something by a living composer and then they die before you take the diploma?

Good question! I wonder that too...

Thanks all for your replies.

Ha! Im not sure about if they die, which actually may have been the case for a few since the current diploma lists were put together, but I guess if a piece is approved by the board before hand whilst they are alive then that should cover you!

I have just re-read the syllabus and repertoire lists and I cannot find this requirement.

What the syllabus actually says - and this is only in one of the ALCM Performance (Recital) option - is:

As part of the recital, candidates may choose ONE own-choice work of a similar standard, or TWO own-choice works where one (or both) of these is by a living composer.

So you only need to include a work by a living composer if you choose to present TWO own-choice works. If you choose everything from the repertoire list, or provide only ONE own choice work, then there is no requiremetn to include a work by a living composer.

A little further down it says:

The recital must include at least one work by a living composer.

apparently this is a requirement for the recital option, as opposed to the Standard.

thanks for checking it out for me though, it's definitely worth triple checking these details as it is certainly not a requirement I have known other boards to have at this level.

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You are absolutely right. Sorry. I foolishly assumed that they would say everything necessary about living composers in the same place. It could have been worded better!.

So what they are saying is that if you choose TWO own choice works, then at least one of them MUST be by a living composer. Presumably that would automatically satisfy the requirement that the programme that it must contain at least one work by a living composer. Also if you choose only one own-choice work that can be by a living composer, but does not have to be.

The alternative to an own-choice work by a living composer is finding one in the Syllabus, and as you have noticed, there is not a lot of choice. I think Milton Babbitt, Anthony Gilbert and John McCabe are still alive. Not sure about Henri Duttileux ... If he is still alive he will be well into his 90's

He's still with us

My favourite living composer is James McMillan, but I dont know anything by him for piano.

I don't have sheet music for any of his piano works (published by Boosey & Hawkes) but I do have a CD of them on the Delphian Label, played by Simon Smith: DCD 34009 which includes his Piano Sonata