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Schubert - Impromptu in A-Flat (No. 2 from Four Impromptus, Op. 142 D. 935)
ABRSM Grade 8 - B9
The A-flat Impromptu, written the year before Schubert’s death, contrasts outer sections where we find a simple chordal texture and a gentle melody on the top with a central trio of flowing arpeggiated triplets over a rocking bass. The music explores the colour possibilities of the different registers of the piano, the stately mood of the A section leading to an impassioned climax in the trio. Chord balance and voicing, as well as control of the pedal, are necessary ingredients of a beautiful performance. ... Read >>
JS Bach - Sinfonia No.15 in B minor, BWV 801
ABRSM Grade 7 – A1
Bach’s aims for the Inventions and Sinfonias were to encourage composition (an understanding and appreciation of musical structure), to foster good playing in two and three parts (or voices), and above all "to arrive at a cantabile style of playing". Apart from good tone, a singing style relies on phrase shaping, an appropriate range of dynamics and colour, as well as articulation.... Read >>
L. Köhler - Melody in F, Op. 190 No. 27
ABRSM Grade 1 – A3
Resources & links This piece is available for individual purchase as a digital download here or in print as part of the Piano Exam Pieces 2025 & 2026 Grade 1 publication here. You can listen to a recording of this piece and others from this grade on Spotify using this link. ... Read >>
Clara Schumann - Prelude and Fugue in B-Flat (No. 2 from Three Preludes and Fugues, Op. 16)
ABRSM Grade 8 - A3
Clara Schumann's Prelude and Fugue in B flat, the second of the Op. 16 set is a good choice for those whose playing would benefit from the study of strict counterpoint but who prefer the Romantic idiom to the more customary Baroque examples. Part 1 - Prelude Part 2 - Fugue Please log-in or subscribe to see walkthrough! Resources & links Piano Exam Pieces 2021 & 2022, Grade 8 is available from the ABRSM online shop here. Click here to view... Read >>
Stanford - Lullaby (No.5 from Six Sketches)
ABRSM Grade 2 – B2
The gentle rocking motion that is established in the dotted crotchets at the very start continues throughout this piece, with simple melodic phrases that lead the music smoothly into some related keys. Lullaby offers the player the opportunity to develop quality of tone and phrasing in soft dynamics, p and pp. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links This piece is available for digital download individually from the ABRSM shop here or in print as part of the Piano Exam... Read >>
Shruthi Rajasekar - Virginia Hall
ABRSM Grade 1 – C1
Dedicated to Virginia Hall, a famous secret agent, this piece uses a repeated ostinato motif to create suspense and a sense of busyness from beginning to end. What is going on in the storyline when the sinister left hand theme comes in? And what do the ff chords at the central climax tell us? Perhaps the detective stumbles across an important new clue in her investigation. The player has plenty of scope to come up with a narrative for this piece, allowing the imagination to aid the fingers in communicating its message. Loading... Read >>
Beethoven - Scherzo (3rd mvt from Sonata in A, Op. 2 No. 2)
ABRSM Grade 7 – A1
Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources & links This piece is available for individual purchase as a digital download here or in print as part of the Piano Exam Pieces 2025 & 2026 Grade 7 publication here. Open domain editions are also available here. You can listen to a recording of this piece and others from this grade on Spotify using this link. ... Read >>
Clementi - Spiritoso (1st mvt from Sonatina in C, Op. 36 No. 3)
ABRSM Grade 5 – A2
Resources & links This piece is available for individual purchase as a digital download here or in print as part of the Piano Exam Pieces 2025 & 2026 Grade 5 publication here.... Read >>
Sarah Watts - The Wibbly Waltz
ABRSM Initial Grade – C3
Resources & links This piece is available for individual purchase as a digital download here or in print as part of the Piano Exam Pieces 2025 & 2026 Initial Grade publication here. You can listen to a recording of this piece and others from this grade on Spotify using this link. ... Read >>