DipABRSM repertoire

[trus]

Hi guys,  I wonder if you could help me.
I will doing the ABRSM diploma exam next spring.
First question, do you think i would be ok replacing one of the suggestioms for Chopin nocturne 62 no 2 with one of his waltzes?

This is the list of choices.....i dont play any of them.
Derceuse in Db, Op.57. Chopin Complete Piano Works, Vol.11 (PWM/MDS) Impromptu no.3 in Gb, Op.51 (Henle 235 or Henle 235/MDS) Introduction and Variations in Bb on a theme from Hérold’s ‘Ludovic’, Op.12. Chopin Complete Piano
Works, Vol.13 (PWM/MDS)
Mazurka in C# minor, Op.50 no.3 (Henle 264 or Henle 264/MDS)
Nocturne in E, Op.62 no.2. Chopin Nocturnes (ABRSM or Wiener Urtext/MDS) Any two of the 3 Nouvelles Études (Wiener Urtext/MDS)
I absolutely love the valse brilliante op 34 no 2 and also already at the "work in progress" stage on op 64 no 2.
I also have been working on and off on three or four nocturnes (72 no 2, op 9 no 2 , op 55 no 1 , c minor one (no number in by book). I do like another few nocturnes too. 
I would rather play one of the pieces I feel closer too,  any suggestions?

Second question.  I will be doing one of Bachs preludes and fugues(not decided which one, perhaps 878 or 867 ,  then Beethovens full sonata in C minor,  then I was planning on playing one of the choices from Debussy (probably book 1 no 4) .   Does that sound like a good programme?
Thanks a lot.

[symphonicdance]

They are expecting a balanced programme.  If you have Bach, Beethoven, Chopin and Debussy in your programme, I think yours is a balanced one.  Also, you may consider off-syllabus Chopin pieces of similar level of difficulty (if my memory serves me correctly, ABRSM needs not obtain prior approval, unlike Trinity).  Please check the exam guidelines.

Just curious, which C minor sonata of Beethoven are you going to play?  No 5 or No 8?  Or No 32 (off DipABRSM syllabus but on FRSM syllabus)?  BTW, you should also note that long repeats should be avoided.  Therefore, watch out for the min. playing time requirement.

There is no rule, and you need not play in the sequence of periods.  Some teachers suggest to play the piece of which the candidate has most confidence.  Some teachers suggest to play the piece with a sonorous ending.

Good luck!

[trus]

They are expecting a balanced programme.  If you have Bach, Beethoven, Chopin and Debussy in your programme, I think yours is a balanced one.  Also, you may consider off-syllabus Chopin pieces of similar level of difficulty (if my memory serves me correctly, ABRSM needs not obtain prior approval, unlike Trinity).  Please check the exam guidelines.

Just curious, which C minor sonata of Beethoven are you going to play?  No 5 or No 8?  Or No 32 (off DipABRSM syllabus but on FRSM syllabus)?  BTW, you should also note that long repeats should be avoided.  Therefore, watch out for the min. playing time requirement.

There is no rule, and you need not play in the sequence of periods.  Some teachers suggest to play the piece of which the candidate has most confidence.  Some teachers suggest to play the piece with a sonorous ending.

Good luck!

Hi! Thank you for your reply.
Re Beethoven sonata - the op 10 no 1 is the one I shall be playing. I am gradually getting through it now.
I think I will definitely start with Bach - a good change to feel every key under you finger )

I shall make up my mind on what exactly am I going to play and time it all with short breaks in between (think I will need to lay down after Beethoven's sonata, for sure!)

Thanks a lot

[ianw]

Regarding the Chopin Waltz,  which one did you have in mind?  If you are talking about 34/2, that's graded at 7 on www.pianosyllabus.com whereas the Nocturne is graded at 10. That seems like it might be a problem - can you get these things pre-approved?

[trus]

Regarding the Chopin Waltz,  which one did you have in mind?  If you are talking about 34/2, that's graded at 7 on www.pianosyllabus.com whereas the Nocturne is graded at 10. That seems like it might be a problem - can you get these things pre-approved?

Hi! Thank you, I did not realize this site existed. Yeah 34 no 2 is not that technically hard. I searched the 64 2 and it came up as grade 8 and 9. I will have a think about the whole thing ( now i have a site to check on, thanks to you) and speak to someone from ABRSM, even though I read somewherw that for Dip level you don't need to seek prior approval.