Grade 8 Pieces

[princess_moose]

Has anyone seen the new grade 8 syllabus for the Associated Board? Anyone preparing for it or going to learn some of the pieces? I have some, and think there is some decent repertoire on there, going to attempt to try to learn a few maybe.

[thorn]

yeah, i've seen it... think it's a better selection of pieces than when i did grade 8. i only tend to go for the list C stuff now because it's more my kind of thing. The Ravel Sonatine mvt 2 and Chopin Fm nocturne are nice. The Debussy and Poulenc are also nice... but i think they're a bit hard for grade 8.. especially the Poulenc.. maybe its just me

[princess_moose]

I don't like List A at all! I will have a look at the Scarlatti A minor sonata, but nothing else really...

List B: Either Mozart (I'm a Mozart freak!) or the Schubert is nice.

List C: Yes as you say the Ravel and Chopin are both fab, I'll have a go at them as well.

 

[goose]

Hi there, can you tell me where to find this list, please? I'm planning on taking the exam, but the ABRSM website says the 2007-8 syllabus won't be published until July.

Thanks,
Goose

[thorn]

https://www.abrsm.org/resources/libretto2006_2.pdf

the grade 8 pieces are in this article (pg 6) the grades 1-7 aren't released until July

[stevehopwood]

I don't like List A at all! I will have a look at the Scarlatti A minor sonata, but nothing else really...


 

Those of you worried about the contrapuntal stuff in List A might have a look at the Soler sonata. Soler was an 18th century Spanish composer - read about him at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Soler if you are curious.

I have heard a few of his pieces; they are attractive and nowhere near as difficult as the alternatives on the list. I know a piano teacher who gets all his grade 8 candidates to play Soler if there is one of his pieces on the list.

Steve 

[steve jones]

Your probably better off waiting for the next one now, as you'd only have a couple of months with the current syllabus.

Piece wise, I think alot of people did the following:

- Scarlatti
- Mozart
- Arensky

They seem to be the easiest for most people. There are a couple of really difficult ones in there two, which are great but significantly more challenging imo - Beethoven Op90 Mvt1, Schumann Intermezzo etc.

SJ

[goose]

Thanks very much for posting, Thorn. Much appreciated.

Goose

[princess_moose]

Your probably better off waiting for the next one now, as you'd only have a couple of months with the current syllabus.

Piece wise, I think alot of people did the following:

- Scarlatti
- Mozart
- Arensky

They seem to be the easiest for most people. There are a couple of really difficult ones in there two, which are great but significantly more challenging imo - Beethoven Op90 Mvt1, Schumann Intermezzo etc.

SJ

The new syllabus comes out this summer, but the new grade 8 pieces are given in advance.