are we allowed to use urtext books instead of abrsm for one of the songs in the piano exam?

Yes, you can use any edition of the music.

QUOTE (jo.clarinet @ May 2 2005, 05:23 AM)

Yes, you can use any edition of the music.

Yes....except where a particular arrangement or transcription is specified.Editions quoted in the syllabus are given for guidance only and are not obligatory."

If in doubt phone or email the ABRSM to clarify.

How about if an edition is really different from the other one? Like the Bach cello suites, for example, some have full one-bar legato and some the original edition, only 2 beats of the notes legato. The original edition is easier!

QUOTE (methenic0le @ May 2 2005, 02:06 AM)

are we allowed to use urtext books instead of abrsm for one of the songs in the piano exam?

Songs in a piano exam?
Yes you can use any edition - which piece are you talking about?

The prefix 'ur' is supposed to indicate that something is authoritative. This means that Urtext editions show you as clearly as possible to what the composer actually wrote. Editorial expression marks etc are usually clearly marked as such.

I have an Urtext edition of Mozart fantasy in D minor, and it's got a lot less staccato dots ect. than the version in the AB 'signature' series. My teacher says they should be played at leaset semi staccato 'cos that's the way they plyed the piano in those days.

It also gives footnotes explaining any uncertainties about particular notes and is very clearly layed out with the pagfe turns at sensible places (during long rests) so is a lot easier to play from.

I'm playing the JS Bach Allemande from the Henle edition of the Bach Partitas for my Grade 8 because the page turn is at the double bar. The Grade 8 book has two impossible page turns in it. Luckily my teacher has two copies of the Henle so he has been able to lend me one.

I am playing the Bach Allemande too.

I am memorising the few bars after the first page turn and using a copy for the last page.

I am playing the Bach Allemande too, using the ABRSM exam book.

For the first page turn: I copy the few bars and stick it to the bottom of the book.

Foe the second page turn: I copy the last page as well.

QUOTE

Like the Bach cello suites, for example, some have full one-bar legato and some the original edition, only 2 beats of the notes legato. The original edition is easier!

Hmmm, don't really think they are easier, but I know what you're getting at. The original version wouldn't have had that many tied/legato notes, simply because the baroque bow was a lot shorter and would have made multiple legato impossible. The baroque style is also lighter in texture and shorter bow strokes suit it better, especially when using a modern bow. Combined with this, legato playing is a lot more difficult in general, so anything with seperate bows will appear easier.

The new Barenreiter edition, is, I think, the most authorative edition of the Bach suites.

QUOTE (noodle @ May 2 2005, 10:36 AM)

[/QUOTE] Songs in a piano exam? Yes you can use any edition - which piece are you talking about?

haydn's sonate in D

QUOTE (Semele @ May 2 2005, 06:17 AM)

[/QUOTE] Yes....except where a particular arrangement or transcription is specified.Editions quoted in the syllabus are given for guidance only and are not obligatory." If in doubt phone or email the ABRSM to clarify.

how can we e-mail to ABRSM and get a reply?

QUOTE

how can we e-mail to ABRSM and get a reply?

Use the 'contact us' link on the home page.