There doesnt appear to be a guidance booklet this time. Any piano teachers doing the Handel (List A)or the Field (List B) with a pupil? Would welcome thoughts on interpretation...

Are you not having lessons with a teacher? !

Yes there is, written by Timothy Barratt and Anthony Williams, although personally I don't find it very helpful. Contact ABRSM and they will send you a copy. That's where I got mine from.

I've had the teaching notes books a couple of times but have yet to find anything in them I couldn't work out for myself. The usefulness for me as relatively inexperienced was to confirm that I do know what I'm talking about after all.

There are youtube performances of practically all the Grade 8 pieces 2011-12, ranging from very average to very good. (including professional ones)

Studying and comparing the various versions is an excellent way of deciding which pieces you want to play, and the type of interpretation which you find convincing.

I think the OP is looking for notes on the Grade 8 pieces .... The teaching notes book only covers grades 1-7

Try here .....http://www.e-musicmaestro.com/index.asp . This is an online resource for teachers and students and i'm sure many of the current pieces are covered You do have to pay though.

Good luck

Yes, the teaching notebook stops at Grade 7. Does any one know why? I have always found that very disappointing.

Or you can buy it from most music shops.

There are notes in the Peters edition of the Grade 8 pieces.

Yes, the teaching notes stop at grade 7 (I've never understood why, either) but there is a separate teaching notes book available from ABRSM for grade 8 alone.

The notes in the Peters edition do not cover those pieces, only the ones in their book.

They are very useful, however.