Intermediate

Heather Hammond - Changing Times (from Cool Piano 5)

ABRSM Grade 5 – C2

We find two time signatures – 4/4, featuring an expressive RH melody with a flowing LH accompaniment in quavers, and then a contrasting jazz waltz in 3/4, faster and with zingy syncopations. Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2022, Grade 5 is available from the ABRSM online shop here. The syllabus upon which these Practising the Piano Online Academy materials are based is © by The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and is reproduced by permission of the copyright owner.... Read >>

Chopin - Prelude in B Minor (Op. 28 No. 6)

Chopin’s dark, somber Prélude in B minor is much more difficult to play than it looks. The pedalling requires a lot of thought as Chopin gives us only three pedal markings, in those places where he wants special pedal effects that provide generous resonance. In other places, we must therefore be careful to pedal more sparingly and discreetly. The melodic interest is in the long LH rising and falling phrases, yet we clearly hear the tolling of bells in the RH repeated notes. There are some beautiful - and surprising - harmonic moments that you’ll need to savour in order... Read >>

Burgmüller - 12. L'Adieu (Farewell) in A Minor (from 25 Easy and Progressive Etudes, Op. 100)

L’adieu (The Farewell) tells the story of a departure, perhaps of a close friend or family member, and the resulting feelings of sadness and anxiety. The only respite from the turbulent emotions is to be found in the B section (from bar 17) - in C major, but even then this brief moment of warmth and respite is tinged with regret (the Ab in bar 24). The form of the piece is ternary (ABA) with an introduction and coda. The main technical problem posed by this étude is how to play the triplet quaver patterns at speed - with dynamics... Read >>

Eric Satie - Gymnopédie No. 1

Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links Click here to download a Fred's marked score for this work or Click here to view open domain editions. ... Read >>

Telemann - Allegro (from Fantasia No. 1 in D major)

Georg Philipp Telemann was a contemporary of J. S. Bach, and actually a much more famous and successful composer in his day. The Fantasia in D major, on Trinity’s Grade 6 alternative syllabus, is a worthy piece and a lot of fun to play. How do we make an edition of our own that adds dynamics, articulation, touch and expression to a score that does not include any of these details? In this video I show you some of the principles involved in making such decisions, looking at several options for interpretation based on the design of the music itself.... Read >>

FX Dušek - Allegro (1st mvt from Sonata XII in G major)

This early Classical sonata movement offers the player the opportunity to develop contrasts in touch and dynamics. Dušek’s Music makes a welcome change from the more usual repertoire from this period. Resources & links Click here to purchase sheet music form the Trinity College online store (external link). Click here to view the index for our Guide to the Trinity College Piano Syllabus. Click here to view a complete listing of all of our piano examination... Read >>

Prokofiev - Tarantella (No. 4 from Musiques d’enfants, Op. 65)

ABRSM Grade 5 – C3

Prokoviev’s Music for Children was composed in 1935 and contains 12 pieces with descriptive titles. The Tarantella is one of the best examples of this type of dance piece, featuring spinning patterns in both hands and plenty of quirky harmonic and rhythmic features that make Prokoviev’s style so engaging. Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2022, Grade 5 is available from the ABRSM online shop here. Click here to view open domain editions for this work (external link). ... Read >>

Purcell - Ground in C Minor

Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links Click here to view open domain editions for this work. ... Read >>

Arens - Moonbeams (No.1 from Rendezvous with Midnight)

ABRSM Grade 4 – B1

Barbara Arens’ imaginative and beautifully-written nocturne needs a flexible approach and generous pedalling to bring out its many expressive possibilities. It is certain to be a popular choice. Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2021, Grade 4 is available from the ABRSM online shop here. The syllabus upon which these Practising the Piano Online Academy materials are based is © by The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and is reproduced by permission of the copyright owner. The Practising the Piano... Read >>