I'm going to take the Grade 7 Piano exam(2001/2002) from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music next year. I wonder if by any chance some of you or your student is taking the same exam this year/next year? Since my teacher is unfamiliar with the exam, I'm a very lost. Wonder if somebody can share? The pieces that I choose are: 1. Allegro: Third movement from Sonata No.3 in E, Sechs leichte Sonaten by J.C.F.Bach

2. Kleines Klavierstuck No.1, from Vier kleine Klavierstucke, S.192, by Franz Liszt

3. Sorocaba, No.1 from Saudades do Brazil, Book 1, Op.67, by Darius Milhaud

Thanks a lot!!!!

-- Angel (lmtr@hotmail.com), May 08, 2001

Answers

Not familiar with the pieces in particular but for general information:

JCF Bach: J.S. Bach's son. Places him somewhere between late Baroque and early Classical period. Careful of pedaling here if you use it, it shouldn't blur the texture of the music.

Liszt: Hungarian composer and famous virtuoso pianist. Romantic period. Tends to be more showy and flamboyant.

Milhaud: French compooser and pianist. 20th century. Uses polytonality in his music.

For backgrd info, read gen music history bks wh give brief info to characteristics of each period in music (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th C). Search internet also. Lots of stuff on the above. used to vist a few of the sites but can't remeber address right now.

ATTEND CONCERTS, listen to recordings of other works written by same composer or by other composers in same period to understand and hear their style and the characteristics of the period.

Given my 2 cents worth. Try posting your qn on the teacher's forum at ABRSM website (www.abrsm.ac.uk) as well and see how it goes. Also read exam regulations and req carefully if there's anything you're not sure of. Links to ABRSM Publishing also if you want to get bks.

Visit www.musicteachers.co.uk also, Links pg and resource pg may be helpful.

Good luck.

-- Winnie (winnietsin@hotmail.com), May 22, 2001.

Winnie, Thank you so much for taking time to give me the info of each piece :) I've actually switched to play another three pieces, rather than the above. Let me put it down, just in case any of you can give me some comments & suggestions on these:

1. Sinfonia no.3 in D(BWV 789) by JS Bach 2. Sehnsuchts-Walzer(Yearning Waltz) by Field 3. Prelude II (Homecoming) by Christopher Norton

-- Angel (lmtr@she.com), May 24, 2001.

Another suggestion is that you could get the Grade 7 CD that is available for this exam. It gives an idea of how the pieces should sound. Additionally there is an ABRSM booklet for teachers, which gives detailed information on problems which may be encountered as well as technique tips. Your interpretation does not have to sound like that which is played on the CD, but hey, at least it gives you an idea of how the pieces should sound. I myself should have taken the Grade 7 exam this year, and I empathize with you when you say your teacher is not familiar with these exams, because my teacher also was not, and has since migrated. Good luck!

-- Hope Barrow (tigerlily@jol.com.jm), January 02, 2002.