Hey Symphonicdance, how did you go with your FRSM?I passed my FTCL last year and have decided to keep the momentum going by doing FRSM with the following programme:Bach-Busoni Chaconne in D minorRachmaninoff Etudes op 33 (complete)Scriabin Sonata no 9 (Black Mass)It's not really a specialist programme (unless you count the two Russian composers from the 20th century) but one I thought would keep me interested for the 11 or so months or preparation and also one that is hopefully enjoyable and interesting for the examiners!As far as reference material goes, I know that Andras Schiff has don a bunch of talks on the Beethoven sonatas, which you can find on youtube, he's also put out a DVD with some Bach workshops. The best analysis of the Beethoven Sonatas (for the Viva Voce) I've come across is by Sir Donald Tovey, I used to have them all but they've been missplaced (or maybe lent out) at some stage. It would probably be a good idea to go through the works and do your own analysis so you can feel like you have a thorough understanding of the piecesHope that's a help.Also, why no teacher? If you find a supportive one it can be a huge help
Hi! I was just wondering, how do you prepare these diploma exams without any help of teachers? Could you share some tips?
Hey Symohonicdance, how’s the Fellowship prep going?I finally sat my FRSM in June and passed!The lead up was a bit of a saga as I changed my programme twice: once after you mentioned I was overtime for own choice repertoire, and the second time when I hurt my left hand practicing Rachmaninoffs second Etude and had to take a week off! With just over 4 months to go till the exam I decided to change course and relearn Beethoven’s Waldstein (which I’d previously learned , but about 16 years ago!) and somehow managed to get it under the fingers and memorised in time. My final programme ended up being the following:Bach/Busoni - chaconne in D minorBeethoven - Waldstein sonataRachmaninoff - Etude no 3 in C minor - Etude no 4 in D minor - Etude no 8 in C#minorMy programme notes were titled: The Influence of Russian Orthodox Bell Ringing In Rachmaninoff’s Etudes Tableaux Op.33Here’s a clip I did of the C#minor Etude - if you look at the notes,I’ve included some of my programme notes there.https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NzxhCQAFGRsAnd here’s the C minor https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pYuhrVwlrYgI also used Trevor Herbert’s “music in words” as a reference, as well as many other books specific to my programme.If you’re interested I’d be happy to email through my programme notes.Otherwise no worries and all the best with your prep!CheersDan