I like this piece very much as this is the only choice of rhythmic character for the whole list C. But I found it extremely hard to play the Mordent on top of the right hand octave. In their first appearance, I can manage it by playing the lower octave note by the left hand and then I can play the ornament at ease. However, when it comes to the middle section, the trick cannot be applied again as the left hand plays a 10th with the right hand in that sense. If my hand is really too small, can I simply skip that mordent?

Any suggestion?

you can't really skip the mordent at grade 8, you can use both hands where you can but unfortunately fingers 1 & 4 need to be able to stretch an octave. the 5th finger can then be used to complete the mordent. it takes a bit of getting used to, so practice a little before giving up completely. if your hands are just too small, go with any other C list piece.

Any other List C piece? I've only found two I can stretch to so far: Debussy and Arensky.

Yes, I agree. It seems that Debussy and Arensky are the only other reasonable choices. Maybe I will include Schumann and Liszt. But none of these are of a rhythmic character that fits those candidates who are weak feelings.

Thanks for your advice. But my hand and my students' hands are too small for that 1-4. Moreover, the piece go too quickly for us for 1-4 octave with the mordent one the quaver followed by another octave quaver.

Many of my other students choose Debussy instead if they can manage that 2 against 3. But at this moment, they play with no feeling. It's difficult to teach them about the tonal contrast.

Maybe I shall think about the Liszt... any opinion for that Liszt?

it's a shame that the castilla demands large hands, and you're right there are no other pieces on the list with the same rythm. the liszt, if i remember rightly (don't have the book in this house) has quite few octaves as well. make sure too that the LH doesn't tire too quickly from the tremolando sections, though thankfully these are at the end of the piece. for that reason, it goes without saying not to play this piece first in your program. the arensky and debussy are both great choices, and arabesque has a nice 2/3 rythm. if they can't manage the tonal difficulties there, you could try arensky or liszt. the liszt probably hasn't been selected by as many candidates either, so you have novelty on your side too. examiners don't like hearing the same pieces all day

Thanks very much for your suggestion. As my student like the Castilla more, it's really nice piece, I will suggest her (and me too!) to try harder for that octave strench. It's very important to play a piece that the player really like. They will have the drive to practise more. The Liszt is a nice piece, but it seems that it is not good for young players who don't have 'passion'.