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Martínez - Tempo di minuetto (3rd mvt from Sonata in A)

ABRSM Grade 7 – A3

Marianne von Martínez was a Viennese pianist, singer and composer who had lessons with Haydn when she was a child. Tempo di minuetto is an elaborate minuet designed to show the pianist’s technical skills - command of runs and fast triplets in both hands, delicate ornaments, leaps, and octave passages. As was common in the period the composer leaves no dynamic markings, expecting the performer to supply their own. Octave passages imply a forte dynamic; perhaps piano for the minor key at the start of the second half. Allow the semiquaver scales to sparkle and experiment with a non-legato touch... Read >>

Beethoven - Ecossaise in E-Flat (No. 4 from Six Ecossaises, WoO 83)

A lively dance in 2/4 time, an ecossaise is actually the French word for “Scottish”! Flexibility in the right hand is necessary to avoid tension, and flexibility in the pulse (while not indicated in the score) is essential to bring grace and elegance at the start, and then some forward movement in the forte ending. Please sign-in to view the full video if you are already an Online Academy subscriber or click here to find out more about the Online Academy.... Read >>

Prokofiev - Cortège de sauterelles (No. 7 from Musiques d’enfants, Op. 65)

ABRSM Grade 6 – C10

Prokoviev’s Musique d’enfants is a collection of 12 short character pieces suitable for the intermediate pianist, for adults as well as children. There is much humour in Cortège de sauterelles ("Procession of Grasshoppers"), with lively springing movements to be found throughout. At the start of the slower middle section it seems the creatures are calming down for the night, but in the second statement of the central theme the left hand begins to jump again, albeit more slowly. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) Resources... Read >>

Schubert - Waltz in B minor, D. 145 No. 6

ABRSM Grade 5 – B3

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 5 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 >>

D. Scarlatti - Sonata in C, K. 513

ABRSM Grade 8 – A3

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 8 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 >>

Mozart - Alla Turca (3rd mvt from Sonata in A, K. 331)

ABRSM Grade 8 – 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 8 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 >>

L. Köhler - Allegro moderato (1st mvt from Sonatina in G, Op. 300 No. 93) 93)

ABRSM Grade 3 – A1

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 3 publication here. Open domain editions are also available here. You can listen to a recording of this piece and others from... Read >>

Peter Gritton - Haunted House

ABRSM Initial Grade – C1

There is a repeated phrase in the left hand, the right hand playing something different each time. The challenge is to combine a legato touch in one hand with staccato in the other hand. This essential coordination skill can be acquired using an exercise of your own invention based on simple five-finger patterns. The chord at the end of the piece is arpeggiated slowly, as quietly as possible. It is helpful to put the pedal down in the half-bar rest before the chord. Hold the chord as long as you like, until the sound has died away. ... Read >>

Haydn - Allegro moderato (1st mvt from Sonata in B minor, Hob. XVI:32)

ABRSM Grade 7 – A1

Haydn’s music is so often sunny and positive in mood, with a humorous streak. The Sonata in B minor is surprisingly dark and dramatic in Sturm und Drang style, with only brief hints of brightness in the second subject material of the exposition. That the first subject is highly ornamented and we find no dynamic markings hints that Haydn may have intended the work for harpsichord. Needless to say, any performance on the piano needs to be pianistic: brought to life by a relatively wide range of dynamics and subtle use of the pedal. ... Read >>