As the diploma and higher awards involve challenging pieces I have been listening to professional concert pianists performing. eg Chopin Nocturne in E maj Op 62 no 2 and Beethoven Sonata in Ab Op 26 by Arthur Rubinstein & Melvin Tan to name but two.

Rubinstein takes the nocturne at a fair lick and Tan in the last movt of the Beethoven is really flying.

My question is... are entrants expected to be able to play at similar tempos for their Dip performance?

I appreciate that a performer will always select his/her preferred tempo, but in an exam condition, does the AB expect more of a professional performance from the applicant?

e.g.Will playing an Allegro slower result in marks being lost?


Thanks