Duen Duen, the point of Ericpark is.... by that level of musicianship.... and for you to consider FRSM at all.... you should ALREADY be much more informed and knowledgeable about Debussy.... and big works like Preludes Book II. You cannot be unaware of Debussy's important and contribution for the VIVA...and Debussy is such a major composer....
no matter it's on the syllabus or not. AND, for the FRSM, there is much room for own choice..... Debussy's works are always a good choice for Impressionism works.

Duen Duen,

Pianokc is absolutely right. Anyway, no one is trying to demean you. It just startled me that someone would think that "General Lavine" is a composer :@

You may not have personally played any of the Debussy Preludes but as a piano teacher with an LRSM in performing, it wouldn't reflect well on you if you haven't tried previously to acquaint yourself with these important works. At least you should have come across some of them during the course of your reading, or heard them before in concerts or through recordings.

As a pianist aspiring to the FRSM, your knowledge of repertoire shouldn't be confined to what you choose to perform in your programme. What is the point of someone gaining this "prestigious" diploma knowing that he is thoroughly familiar with Beethoven and Liszt, but has little substantial exposure to Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, Chopin, Brahms as well as other Romantic and Modern composers (btw, this is just a hypothetical situation without any implications on you or anyone else, so please don't start quibbling about this scenario). It would be like someone fortuitously passing his final law or medical exam by spotting the right questions but in reality lacks real breadth of knowledge required of that profession...

I'll answer the question 'Who is General Lavine?' with excerpts from my programme notes, anyway.

QUOTE

The inspiration for the 6th Prélude was Général ‘Ed’ Lavine, a clown who worked at the Médrano Circus in Paris, whom Debussy first saw in 1912.

When I found this out the whole piece made more sense - I'd previously thought it was an eccentric military general, but the circus act interpretation makes a bit more sense if you listen to the piece:

QUOTE

The piece opens with a drum-roll motif, alongside deliberate parallel fifths providing a cacophonous trumpet fanfare; once the stage is set, the performer limps on and the circus act begins.  No clown's act would be complete, however, without a series of misfortunes: often, when the music is in full swing, it falls dramatically towards the bass of the piano as catastrophe unfolds.  Nonetheless, he is not easily deterred, and after the initial shock quickly recovers and continues triumphantly.

QUOTE (rubinstein @ Mar 29 2005, 12:22 PM)

i won't be playing any works by Debussy for FRSM since they aren't on the list.

Remember to answer exactly like this when the examiners ask you if you have played something that isn't in the syllabus.

QUOTE (ericpark @ Mar 29 2005, 05:20 PM)

You may not have personally played any of the Debussy Preludes but as a piano teacher with an LRSM in performing, it wouldn't reflect well on you if you haven't tried previously to acquaint yourself with these important works. At least you should have come across some of them during the course of your reading, or heard them before in concerts or through recordings.

I can't agree more. My impression is that she isn't even aware that each Debussy prelude has a title (I hope I am wrong). And it's appalling coming from a music graduate with an LRSM who is also considering tackling FRSM.

Just want to ask Duen Duen this: do you ever listen to recordings, go to concerts, and read materials that aren't required in your programme notes and university courses? Do you know what's going on in the classical music world these days? Coz sounds like learning/playing the piano is just a chore, a routine, or a way to acquire something "prestigious" (which in itself isn't a reason to take exams) for you.

Do you really love, not even to talk about enjoy, what you are doing?

Hey guys, all you said is right but just don't be too harsh on Duen Duen. Everyone has loopholes in his/her knowledge and there are always room for improvement. I'm certain that your comments have "motivated" her to do sth!

I agree with Eos.... I think Duen Duen should get the picture now.

Eos, may I ask you whether you know when the ceremony is in HK ? Which month I mean. Thanks.

The ceremony in HK will usually be scheduled in Nov, and normally in a weekday evening.