Piano Literature Syllabus

[netzow]

I think this is the right place to post this but forgive me if it isn't.
This Is a list of various pieces approriate for levels of play. I was  wondering what people's opinions comments and or bones to pick with it are. Also do you agree with the level of pieces for beginning Music majors. Thanks!


https://www.wheaton.edu/Conservatory/handbook/pianolit.html

[dnephi]

I didn't read too deeply, but I found it surprising that Liszt Etudes was only listed under grade 9 whereas Mendelssohn Variations Serieuses was listed under 10.  We all know that Liszt Etudes can get a good deal harder than Mendelssohn Variations Serieuses, as can certain Chopin Etudes and Scriabin Etudes. 

It seems reasonable, with grade 7 (starting for majors) being mostly for musicality, phrasing, etc. with 8 starting some more difficult and 9 and 10 varying but including formidable difficulty. 

Bach French Suites, Ludas Tonalis and Brahms Intermezzi are of the above kind, being fairly easy but having chiefly stylistic and interpretive difficulties.  Doing these well will allow you to play the pyrotechnics (when you get there) with the appropriate musicianship and give them meaning.

[netzow]

One other thing that I could use some help with. Figuring out where on this list I am so I can tell where I need to go. I do not know much about these Pieces so I can't really place myself, I was wondering where people would put my on this list. I am currently working on Beethoven's sonata in C minor and Chopin's Nocturne Op. 14 No. 3. I have Recently played Polichinele by Rachmaninoff and a some Joplin Rags. I would really apreciate it if someone could help my with this. Thanks!

[pianistimo]

once you are attending, your teacher will not only place you appropriately - but also catch you up on any area of a level that you are not proficient in.  a master teacher can immediately spot areas that might be below level or above level.  usually, they try to coordinate all the areas of piano study with each other.  this includes theory, sightreading, sightsinging, etc.  even though you take other classes to help you in this area - your piano teacher is the likely one (having one on one lessons) to tell you 'you need to work this area.' 

there are the rare students that are proficient in every area of a level/grade and adequately pass to the next without having skipped over some important things.  musical terms, for instance.  basically, the harder levels are also dealing with a good deal more memorization (which requires being able to analyze a piece of music more in depth).  also, if you take orchestration - you can see how musicians composed music to sound like certain instruments or voice - or literally be orchestrated at some later point. 

getting back to wheaton.  i am impressed by the syllabus - but don't think it is necessarily the last word on the subject.  who am i to know.  but my teacher, who took lessons from julliard - i believe - would be apt to take a piece such as the brahms intermezzos from op. 118 and put them higher (in terms of interpretive difficulty).  it might be a figment of my imagination - but i tend to think that high quality music can be astonishingly virtuosic or just plain simple.  but sweet.  have tone colors and images that it brings to mind.  to have a singing line.  this seems very basic and simple to beginning students - but the more you study music the more you realize it isn't ALL the technical difficulty.  although that is what impresses people the most.

pedalling techniques can be honed in college much MUCH better.  i remember the first few years i didn't ask ENOUGH questions about pedalling.  this is a very important subject.  it makes or breaks pieces much like interpretations.  for each composer - there is almost a certain pedalling technique they were using (as well as fingerings to suit their own hand).  to find out these details  requires not just looking at the pedallings and fingerings that an editor put into the music.  all is not as it appears.  that is what i've found out.  urtexts become much more important in playing correct notes - giving interesting interpretations.  coming closer to what the composer intended.

[netzow]

The only reason I am curious as to what level I am right now is to see how far I have to go to become a major. I am sure that I am not proficent at every grade-level. I skipped through a large group of level's of pieces without really doing much inbetween. From method books to grade 7 with only 3 pieces In between. You make me want to start College right now even though i'm not ready! Pedaling yes pedaling I am trying to cut back on peadaling everything and useing my hands to play legato more. I am starting to see what A fine art pedaling is. There is always more to learn I'm only starting!

[pianistimo]

i was already taking lessons from a prof. who taught at a community college -so that was my 'in' towards the university. 

[netzow]

Ah I can't do that Anyone else?