A2 Level Music Exam

[queenrock]

Hi, next year i will need to play between 12 and 15 minutes of music for my my A2 Level Music (OCR) performance exam.

Below is the specification as quoted from the exam board OCR.

Candidates are required to prepare and present a performance of between 12 and 15
minutes’ duration on one instrument (or voice). The instrument (or voice) may be the same
as, or different from, the instrument presented for examination in Unit 2550. The musical
content of Section A must have a focus. The repertoire performed should demonstrate indepth
understanding of a style or genre, either by the performance of one or more movements
from a single piece (e.g. a Sonata) or of a small group of shorter, related pieces (e.g.
Schumann Lieder, Joe Satriani guitar pieces, Nocturnes by different composers, Sondheim
songs, a group of related jazz standards). Candidates may perform as a soloist, or as a
member of a small ensemble, or as an accompanist, but a combination of these options must
not be presented.

I'd rather not play any thing baroque or very modern.

So any suggestions are much appreciated,

Peter.


EDIT:
Forgot to mention the difficulty should be around grade 8 ABRSM standard or slightly above.

[queenrock]

Does no-one have any ideas, or do i need to be more specific.

[queenrock]

Ok then seeing as nobody has replied, what about Beethoven sonatas.

Does anybody have the timings for these, or know of a combination of two or more movements of a sonata which would fit between 12 and 15 minutes.

Help please!

[slobone]

queenrock, the reason you're not getting any responses is because your request is much too broad. There are literally thousands of sonatas and collections of short pieces out there, and we can't give you a suggestion unless you tell us more about what you've already played, or what pieces you like, or something.

And I still won't be able to help you, because I don't know anything about this exam and what pieces are at the appropriate level. But somebody here may have more experience with that than I do.

[jabbz]

Ok then seeing as nobody has replied, what about Beethoven sonatas.

Does anybody have the timings for these, or know of a combination of two or more movements of a sonata which would fit between 12 and 15 minutes.

Help please!

Try one of the 'easy' sonatas op.49 (nos 19 & 20). Otherwise to play any other Beethoven is suicidal in an exam. 

My personal recommendation would be Haydn, short, some are fairly easy, can't go wrong.

[queenrock]

queenrock, the reason you're not getting any responses is because your request is much too broad. There are literally thousands of sonatas and collections of short pieces out there, and we can't give you a suggestion unless you tell us more about what you've already played, or what pieces you like, or something.

And I still won't be able to help you, because I don't know anything about this exam and what pieces are at the appropriate level. But somebody here may have more experience with that than I do.

Ok, sorry, i thought it was a bit broad but thats why i need the help, thanks anyway.

Try one of the 'easy' sonatas op.49 (nos 19 & 20). Otherwise to play any other Beethoven is suicidal in an exam. 

My personal recommendation would be Haydn, short, some are fairly easy, can't go wrong.

Why is it that beethoven would be suicidal??

[mike_lang]

Why is it that beethoven would be suicidal??

Seconded...why?

[jabbz]

The popular ones are both too established and too difficult (although, there are plenty manageable ones for this level). A story from my teacher from years past:

A student was doing their performance for an A-level, and as opposed to do something from a grade book (as recommended by the teacher) they decided they wanted to do a Beethoven sonata. By this time they already had their Dip.ABRSM, so they went and did their exam, played perfectly fine, and then the examiner afterwards said to the pupil's teacher "That's a piece I'VE struggled with technically and musically all my life, they didn't do any better."

I don't know how truthful this story is, but I do know, if it's popular, and everyone has played it to some degree (which ever pianist has I gather), they've got more of an opinion to clash with yours.

From memory the A2 syllabus recommends a piece of at least grade 6 difficulty, I assume the reason for that is post grade 8 studies are expected in your University of choice.

[queenrock]

The popular ones are both too established and too difficult (although, there are plenty manageable ones for this level). A story from my teacher from years past:

A student was doing their performance for an A-level, and as opposed to do something from a grade book (as recommended by the teacher) they decided they wanted to do a Beethoven sonata. By this time they already had their Dip.ABRSM, so they went and did their exam, played perfectly fine, and then the examiner afterwards said to the pupil's teacher "That's a piece I'VE struggled with technically and musically all my life, they didn't do any better."

I don't know how truthful this story is, but I do know, if it's popular, and everyone has played it to some degree (which ever pianist has I gather), they've got more of an opinion to clash with yours.

From memory the A2 syllabus recommends a piece of at least grade 6 difficulty, I assume the reason for that is post grade 8 studies are expected in your University of choice.

On the contrary my teacher recommends not to do grade pieces because the examiners have heard far too many times before.

[ryanyee]

try mozart's c minor sonata. k.455 i think can't remember. just started on it. maybe beethoven's op.90 sonata in e minor too.

[queenrock]

try mozart's c minor sonata. k.455 i think can't remember. just started on it. maybe beethoven's op.90 sonata in e minor too.

Thanks i'll take a look at these.

[franzliszt2]

I did this, I think we had to have a theme...so I did death. lol

I played Haydn F minor variations, Ravel Tombeau de couperin (can't remember which mvt), Janacek in the mists (1st mvt) and something else.

They are all dedicated to dead people, or at least have a link to a dead person lol.

I got 100 percent, and I played badly. It's a really easy exam, don't worry about it.