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Topic: Need opinions on the choices of pieces for my ATCL programme (Read 3270 times)

idyllicreveries

PS Silver Member
Newbie
Posts: 1

Need opinions on the choices of pieces for my ATCL programme

on: December 21, 2021, 11:17:48 PM

Hi:
I have recently completed my ABRSM Grade 8, and so I have decided to pursue my musical journey further by taking ATCL. Although I have selected the pieces I want to play for ATCL for the past few weeks; however, since currently I do not a teacher, I fear that I might not meet the demands of a desired ATCL programme.

About my areas of interest:
I love impressionist music, I enjoy painting using music to convey atmosphere and emotions, and I dislike classical pieces (I'm sorry)..
Favourite composers: (chronologically)
- D Scarlatti
- Debussy
- Ravel
- Frank Bridge
- John Ireland
- Leos Janacek
- Frederic Mompou
- Dutilleux
I prefer playing many short miniature pieces rather than long sonatas because I relish the rejuvenation from the transitioning of styles.

My selected pieces for ATCL (length ~35-36mins of playing)
1. Bridge - A Fairy Tale: I. Princess (2' 45")
2. Bridge - A Fairy Tale: IV. Prince (3')
3. Chopin - Grande Valse Brillante, Op. 18, No. 1 in E-flat (4' 30")
4. Liszt - Liebestraum No. 3 (5')
5. D Scarlatti - Sonata in B-Flat Major K202 (2' 30")
6. D Scarlatti - Sonata in B Minor K27 (1' 45")
7. Messiaen - Petites esquisses d'oiseaux: II. Le Merle-Noir (Blackbird) (2' 15")
8. Charles Griffes - 3 Tone-Pictures: III. The Night Winds (2')
9. Mompou - Dialogues 2 (2' 15")
10. Janacek - In The Mist: I. Andante (3' 30")
11. Janacek - In The Mist: III. Andantino (2' 30")
12. Dutilleux - Trois Préludes pour piano: I. D'ombre er de Silence (Shadow and Silence) (3' 45")

My concerns
- Could my choice of pieces be too biased that it can negatively affect my score? Personally I enjoy contemporary music more, compared to classical and baroque (with the exception of d scarlatti and sometimes js bach).
- Having so many pieces, would it affect my programme notes? (I am not very sure how the programme notes work)

Thanks for reading, I would love to read your comments and opinions!

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bwl_13

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Posts: 239

Re: Need opinions on the choices of pieces for my ATCL programme

Reply #1 on: January 13, 2022, 08:25:43 AM

I'm no professional, nor have I ever taken a formal exam from the ABRSM or otherwise. However, your programme does seem a little odd to me. I'm not familiar with a few of the pieces you're playing, but comparing it to the traditional way to structure a programme it's definitely odd. I understand you like playing many miniatures rather than longer more "substantial" (whatever the hell that means) works, but I do think if you're taking an exam it would be beneficial to not go too off the rails with 12 pieces.

I do think your lack of any of the 3 Bs is refreshing, but a Prelude and Fugue wouldn't hurt. I also really like Bach's E Minor Toccata. The fugue finale is unreal.

So I'd probably include another Baroque or Classical piece such as that Toccata or maybe a short Beethoven sonata (Op. 90 or 78 comes to mind)? I'd say the same with a lengthier romantic work. Chopin Scherzi or Ballady would work wonderfully. If you were willing to cut the Chopin Waltz and Liszt Liebestraum then that would be around the length of one of those.

I think it would be really interesting for you to programme with a lot of these lesser known 20th century works. I would probably shorten it back into single digits, but this concept is really cool.

Again, I'm not a professional and I don't have experience with these sorts of exams. I can only really give you input on what I have heard from other pianists, and my own educated guesses.

Hopefully that's helpful!

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Second Year Undergrad:
Bach BWV 914
Beethoven Op. 58
Reger Op. 24 No. 5
Rachmaninoff Op. 39 No. 3 & No. 5

brogers70

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 1755

Re: Need opinions on the choices of pieces for my ATCL programme

Reply #2 on: January 13, 2022, 11:02:55 AM

I'm an amateur, and have never taken any of those exams, but....I love Janacek. For house concerts for friends I have played exactly those two movements of In the Mist. I didn't program the whole thing because the other two movements were just too hard for me. For a house concert for friends, that's not a problem, but I think that for an exam, choosing the two slower movements (not that they're super easy) of In the Mist is like flashing a sign saying "the rest of the piece is too hard for me." So I'd either make the serious time commitment required to learn the second and fourth movements, or leave the piece out altogether.

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fretlesss

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Newbie
Posts: 14

Re: Need opinions on the choices of pieces for my ATCL programme

Reply #3 on: January 14, 2022, 05:43:18 PM

Quote from: idyllicreveries on December 21, 2021, 11:17:48 PM

Hi:
I have recently completed my ABRSM Grade 8, and so I have decided to pursue my musical journey further by taking ATCL. Although I have selected the pieces I want to play for ATCL for the past few weeks; however, since currently I do not a teacher, I fear that I might not meet the demands of a desired ATCL programme.

About my areas of interest:
I love impressionist music, I enjoy painting using music to convey atmosphere and emotions, and I dislike classical pieces (I'm sorry)..
Favourite composers: (chronologically)
- D Scarlatti
- Debussy
- Ravel
- Frank Bridge
- John Ireland
- Leos Janacek
- Frederic Mompou
- Dutilleux
I prefer playing many short miniature pieces rather than long sonatas because I relish the rejuvenation from the transitioning of styles.

My selected pieces for ATCL (length ~35-36mins of playing)
1. Bridge - A Fairy Tale: I. Princess (2' 45")
2. Bridge - A Fairy Tale: IV. Prince (3')
3. Chopin - Grande Valse Brillante, Op. 18, No. 1 in E-flat (4' 30")
4. Liszt - Liebestraum No. 3 (5')
5. D Scarlatti - Sonata in B-Flat Major K202 (2' 30")
6. D Scarlatti - Sonata in B Minor K27 (1' 45")
7. Messiaen - Petites esquisses d'oiseaux: II. Le Merle-Noir (Blackbird) (2' 15")
8. Charles Griffes - 3 Tone-Pictures: III. The Night Winds (2')
9. Mompou - Dialogues 2 (2' 15")
10. Janacek - In The Mist: I. Andante (3' 30")
11. Janacek - In The Mist: III. Andantino (2' 30")
12. Dutilleux - Trois Préludes pour piano: I. D'ombre er de Silence (Shadow and Silence) (3' 45")

My concerns
- Could my choice of pieces be too biased that it can negatively affect my score? Personally I enjoy contemporary music more, compared to classical and baroque (with the exception of d scarlatti and sometimes js bach).
- Having so many pieces, would it affect my programme notes? (I am not very sure how the programme notes work)

Thanks for reading, I would love to read your comments and opinions!

My advice would be to reach out to the administration of where you are planning to take the exam and pre-approve your programme. Below are the rules and the list from Trinity College, read the first page carefully:

https://www.trinitycollege.com/resource/?id=8546

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symphonicdance

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 336

Re: Need opinions on the choices of pieces for my ATCL programme

Reply #4 on: January 25, 2022, 08:40:29 AM

Your proposed programme is a balanced one, covering at least 3 periods already. Don't worry whether or not you have a classical work in it.

I think it's fine to have an exam programme consisted of only short works so as long you enjoy playing them most and that these works can demonstrate your strengths. Playing a long sonata which you don't really like or enjoy will hurt you more.

Are all your works on syllabus? I didn't check. If not, you need to obtain approval.

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