FRSM programme selection help

[victorkcliu]

Hi all,

I am just pondering on the programme if I were to take the FRSM exam. Is it ok to specialize in one composer? I noticed in the syllabus it says “at least two contrasting (by period or style) pieces, or movements from larger works”. Pieces that I have in mind are:

Chopin Sonata in B minor, Op. 58
Chopin Barcarolle in F sharp major, Op. 60 (picked from LRSM syllabus, which I have completed practicing some while ago)
Chopin Fantaisie in F minor, Op. 49

Eventually, it would be either :
Chopin Sonata in B minor, Op. 58 and Chopin Fantaisie in F minor, Op. 49
Chopin Sonata in B minor, Op. 58 and Chopin Barcarolle in F sharp major, Op. 60

Appreciated!

[thorn]

I suggest contacting them directly for a definitive answer: https://www.abrsm.org/en-gb/contact-us

I haven't personally heard of an FRSM program that specialises in one composer, but plenty specialise in a single period or a particular type of work (a program of two Romantic sonatas, for example). I do remember seeing a program that was *technically* all Bach, but they cleverly combined original Bach pieces with transcriptions of Bach by other composers to give some variety. You could consider doing the same with Chopin, there's Balakirev's transcription of op.11/2nd mvt, Liszt's song transcriptions, or the Godowsky etudes off the top of my head.