LTCL exam

[sabtan]

Hi all,

Noticed there hasn't been any new threads lately for LTCL exam standards. Think there were some discussions of it last year.
Any new things to note about the exam? What are the examiners generally looking for?

My repertoire is:

Haydn Sonata in C maj Hob 50
Bach Toccata in G major
Faure Nocturne no.2 op 33
Faure Impromptu no.3
Debussy Reflets dans l'eau

Yes there seems to be some French theme going on there. But I will shuffle the order around for the programme.

Any thoughts welcomed.

[symphonicdance]

It's a balanced programme.  If you like French composers, then why not a Messiaen work to replace one of the Faure pieces to make the programme even more balanced.

Just make sure you are comfortable and confident to play whatever in your programme.  Understand the marking scheme, and focus on what/where you can get a higher mark.

[sabtan]

Thanks symphonicdance.

What's the marking scheme like? Do you know what they're looking out for?
Sorry if I had missed this in earlier threads. Only just joined the forum.

My worry is that I'm not particularly strong in the Bach piece. For some reason still rush quite a bit and not letting the phrases breathe.

Funny I didn't consider Messiaen. Shame that I can't change it now, as I've prepared those 5 pieces over the last 18mths for the November sitting.
Was looking they don't have Messiaen for FTCL

Thanks for your input.

[symphonicdance]

"What's the marking scheme like? Do you know what they're looking out for? "
-> Look into the guidelines and syllabus, see how the full mark of 100 is broken down.  This is a 'Must' job in the preparation process!  

If you can't perfect all the technical challenges in the pieces, don't worry, just better make sure you can musically bring them out in the correct styles.

For any Bach work, the examiner always pay extra attention on the fugue part.

There is a saying (not sure if this is true), generally the examiner will know whether he/she'd pass the candidate or not in the first minute.  One strategy is to play your best piece right at the beginning.

In any case, a very important key success factor in passing the exam is your own psychological mindset:  do treat the exam as if your own concert, despite there is only one audience.  It's nonetheless your show!

LT is only a bit harder than AT in my opinion.  I took 10-11 months (right after my AT) to prepare for LT, 100% by self-learning.  FT is another story though.  It's much more stringently marked.  You may consider a Messiaen work in FT (e.g. those on FRSM syllabus) as your own choice and submit the programme for approval.

Good luck!

[sabtan]

Thanks again symphonicdance. You've given some very useful tips.

If I hadn't say it earlier, I must say it's highly admirable that you've achieved up to the FTCL level on self study. God knows how hard it is for adults to get back into the diploma exams. And I have a good teacher for this too. Hard enough juggling work/ life/ piano practice.

When I did ATCL at 16 years old many years ago, it seemed so much easier.