Need help for DipABRSM repertoire/programme

[wintersolstice]

Hey everyone. So I'm planning to take DipABRSM and would need to plan a recital programme. Here's what I have for now:

1. Scarlatti k208 and 209
2. Beethoven Sonata Op. 10 No. 1
3. Chopin Impromptu no. 3, Op. 51
4. Faure Barcarolle no. 1 Op. 26

What do you think? My question now is, are the Chopin and Faure too close in style and period? Should I get rid of one of them for a short 20th century piece or is it acceptable as it is? My programme isn't confirmed yet (except that Beethoven) so if anyone has any suggestions or advice I'm open to them! Thank you so much for your help.

[andrewuk]

It's perhaps a touch on the conservative side, but not excessively, so I think it's fine. Be prepared to discuss how you chose the programme in the Viva Voce section of the exam: if you can find a thread that links all the pieces together then so much the better. I took DipABRSM last December and was glad I'd prepared an answer to the question.

[wintersolstice]

Thanks for your advice. I am worried about it being a bit conservative too. I wanted to fit a proper 20th century piece (or maybe a pair of Shostakovich preludes or something) but it sounds like the time would be tight if I decide to keep both Chopin and Faure. Luckily I have plenty of time to think about removing or adding anything. Do you have any suggestions for interesting 20th century / pieces?
Also, would you mind explaining or elaborating on what you mean by linking the pieces together? What was your programme by the way, just out of curiosity.

[brogers70]

Have a look at Shostakovitch's 24 preludes and fugues; they are beautiful and very varied, from light-hearted and humorous to very deep and troubled. The C major is beautiful - the fugue itself uses only white keys and gets variety in the subject appearances by having the subject show up in all seven of the church modes. The E minor pair is fantastic, a beautiful, brooding prelude and an intense fugue. The A major fugue is written so that everything is always part of a triad - really clever and quick moving, too.

Depending on time, you could also consider Janacek's "In the Mist," a really beautiful, moving piece.

[andrewuk]

My programme was:
Bach: P&F in Ab from WTC book 2 (BWV886)
Beethoven: 32 Variations in C minor WoO 80
Diana Burrell: Constellations
Edwin Roxburgh: Moonscape
Brahms: Ballade in G minor Op 118/3
Bartok: nos 2,3 & 6 of Six Dances in Bulgarian Rhythm (Mikrokosmos book 6)

The Burrell and Roxburgh are both short contemporary pieces from the ABRSM collection "Spectrum" - I thought they made a nice pair, but you could do just one of them as something a bit different. (All the pieces are from the DIpAB list)


I didn't really have much of a link between my pieces; just taking Bach/Beethoven/Brahms/Bartok as a chronological progression, with the Burrell & Roxburgh in the middle to mix things up a little (I was so close to having a programme where all the composers began with B!)