Help with my ARCT program?

[catie_50]

I plan to take my exam in August so about 7 months from now. Currently working on Bach- Partita 2 in C minor, Chopin-Berceuse in D flat, and Prokofiev- Visions fugitives and have been for about three months. I have chosen the Pathetique for my B and am now thinking about either doing Francis Poulenc- Intermezzo in A flat or Rach's Prelude in G minor although my teacher and I are in disagreement over the Rach (she thinks that in combination with the Pathetique program is too heavy and not balanced enough) Not sure about my concert etude so any suggestions with regard to my choice in List D and etude I would be happy to hear! (I am a good pianist but no virtuoso, so no nutso suggestions please, I scored an 86 on my 10 if that helps)

[symphonicdance]

I'm neither a teacher nor a professional, but just wanna share my view as an "examiner" audience.

Like your teacher, I think your programme could be a bit imbalanced if you pick Rachmaninoff's Prelude in G minor (Op 23 No 5 ?).  It may be better if you pick another Rachmaninoff's prelude.  Otherwise, perhaps you should stick to your teacher's advice of Poulenc's Intermezzo.  Just curious.  Are there any pieces by Debussy, Ravel or Faure for selection?  (BTW, is there any free, online syllabus of ARCT?  If so, could you share the link?)

In addition, I think you have two "long" (relatively to other three) pieces in C minor.  Personally I like Pathetique very much, but I suspect it's too popular and too easy for the examiner to pick up mistakes, if not simply critise.  Nonetheless, if you (and your teacher) are very comfortable and confident in this, why not take the challenge.

Good luck!

[catie_50]

Thank you for your reply!

I did end up choosing the Poulenc Intermezzo instead of any Rachmaninoff just for the sake of trying a new composer. I'm growing fonder of the piece all the time. To answer your question about the syllabus, there are a couple on the RCM website but I don't think there are any piano ones. There are selections from every composer you mentioned. Almost everything imaginable from Debussy (which I loved but teacher thought I needed something new once again), Faure had a few selections of impromptus/barcarolles/nocturnes, and Ravel had a decent selection which I also think are fabulous but sound incredibly difficult (at least to master in my time frame)

As for the Partita, I failed to mention I only am required to play the Sinfonia so its only about five minutes! I had the same concern about the Pathetique, however it is a fabulous piece of music Ive been looking forward to playing for a long time so I might just take my chances! However if you have any other ideas of a classical Sonata that might be a better fit, please share.

So this is my tentative program:
A) Bach- Partita in C minor (Sinfonia)
B) Beethoven- Pathetique Sonata
C) Chopin- Berceuse in D flat major
D) Poulenc- Intermezzo in A flat major
E) Prokofiev- Selections from Visions Fugitives
Concert Etude- Liszt-Gnomenreigen

[bruced]

symphonicdance :

There is no free online Piano Syllabus for RCM.  The Piano Syllabus must be purchased.

Regards,

BruceD

[pytheamateur]

symphonicdance :

There is no free online Piano Syllabus for RCM.  The Piano Syllabus must be purchased.

Regards,

BruceD

How cheeky to charge people for the syllabus!  All syllabuses from UK examining boards are free of charge.  There must be a lot of demand for RCM.