Easier
A list
The majority of ‘A’ list pieces are quick tempo ones, although the Martinez ~ Allegro moderato (A7) is a more sedately paced piece. Some lie under the hands more easily than others. The Bach ~ Prelude in G major (A4) is one such piece which, with an easy rotary motion technique, can be readily grasped. Haydn ~ Sonata in D (1st movt) (A11) makes similar use of rotary motion and lightness of touch. Ornamentation is often an important and essential feature of these particular pieces.
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B list
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor ~ Impromptu in B minor (B1) is a very approachable and appealing piece. Its gentle Andantino tempo and the regular repetition of musical ideas should help to make the learning of this piece an achievable and joyful musical goal.
Tchaikovsky ~ Juin: Barcarolle (B3) is a good piece to explore for a pupil who is, perhaps, relatively new to this style of playing - one which requires a flexible but confident grasp of rubato, good balance with right hand cantabile, and not overly complicated, though correct, pedalling. The exception is between bars 32 - 40, where considerable forethought and care are required to ensure this lovely brief respite in the tonic major does not become smudged with poor pedalling, due to the sudden offbeat nature of the tune. Take your lead from the harmonic implications of the left hand.
Chopin ~ Mazurka in A minor (B5) is an inviting piece to learn with its introverted and repetitive musical ideas. The chance to show off in the right hand embellishments and to shape the more moody moments to musical effect are typical characteristics of this dance type. It is a good piece in which to learn more about the art of voicing - inner parts in places, and chordal passages at other times.
Rubinstein demonstrates how effective that can be:
Janacek’s strange yet beautifully, dark emotional world is colourfully evoked in this recording by Mikhail Rudy. The gloomy introspection of Janacek ~Andante (B7) from "In the Mists" creates a haunting atmosphere, from deep within his inner world, yet momentarily illuminated by shafts of delicate sunlight in the brief moments of its middle section.
To enter Rachmaninov’s poetic world is to be able to dream and to share in expressing your inner passions. Rachmaninov ~ Moment musical in Db (B8) offers such an opportunity to create floating ethereal textures. Learning to play with tonal subtleties and to sustain a right hand singing line that has a real sense of freedom and power at its climax points makes the playing of Romantic music so satisfying.
Lazar Berman’s 1976 recording demonstrates these qualities in exemplary fashion.
Schubert ~ Impromptu in Ab D.935(B9) is a must-learn piece for anyone who loves Schubert, and a great introduction to his pianistic world for anyone new to it. Mitsuko Uchida’s pearly performance literally purs along with a seamless tonal beauty:
Beethoven ~Adagio cantabile (B12) from Beethoven’s well-known Sonata Pathétique is a great piece to have in one’s repertoire. It’s about textures and line. There is a lot in it, musically, as Beethoven takes us on a lyrical journey through various key changes, with a range of varied and engaging pianistic textures.
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C list
Albeniz ~ Rumores de La Caleta (C1) is not technically a difficult piece, but it does require an understanding of the typical Spanish style of playing and phrasing to bring it to life. There is a lot of repetition of the musical ideas, so the challenges are focused on the interpretation more than anything else.
There is no one better from which to learn the characteristics of that style than Alicia de Larrocha, whom you can hear in her recording posted on YouTube:
Of Debussy's two Arabesques, Debussy ~ Arabesque No 2 (C2) is the more capricious. Its good-humoured character requires a clear and agile right hand finger technique to articulate the main musical motifs with light and airy clarity. There is little use of pedal.
An accomplished performance of Chen Peixun ~ Thunder in Drought Season (C5) can be heard here. Whilst it has a quick tempo, the configurations lie easily beneath the hands with quite a bit of unison work and relatively uncomplicated textures to coordinate. It is a very appealing piece.
You can see the score on this video here:
Other content in “Grade 8”
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Current: Easier