Another four videos for works from a selection of grades from the 2023 & 2024 ABRSM piano examination syllabus are now available on the Online Academy. The works featured include Daydream by Kristina Arakelyan, a catchy piece by Florence Price, one of Bach’s most well-known Inventions and an uncharacteristically dark sonata movement by Haydn.
New Videos
Grade 2 – C3: Kristina Arakelyan – Daydream
The composer says of this piece: “It is about getting lost in our thoughts, discovering a beautiful world which lives within us and expressing it through music.” After the introduction, built from broken chords in a spinning pattern, we find the theme in the right hand, imitated a bar later by the left hand. In this excerpt, Graham Fitch introduces the piece and gives some suggestions for the opening theme:
Grade 4 – C3: Florence Price – Ticklin’ Toes
Florence Price’s catchy Ticklin’ Toes is based on African-American dances and its syncopated rhythms and off-beat accompaniment patterns creating a lively, playful mood. In this excerpt, Graham gives tips for practising the left hand:
Grade 5 – A4: J.S. Bach – Invention No. 8 in F, BWV 779
In a Bach Two-Part Invention both hands are equally important – we might imagine a duet between a violin and cello, or flute and bassoon. The F major Invention is exuberant and joyous in character, the theme rising up in ever larger jumps (broken chord) and floating back down in scale fragments. In this video excerpt, Graham analyses the subject and how its shape might influence choices regarding dynamics:
Grade 7 – A1: Haydn – Allegro moderato (1st mvt from Sonata in B minor, Hob. XVI:32)
Haydn’s music is so often sunny and positive in mood, with a humorous streak. The Sonata in B minor is surprisingly dark and dramatic in Sturm und Drang style, with only brief hints of brightness in the second subject material of the exposition. In this excerpt, Graham demystifies the ornaments and gives suggestions for executing them:
Click here for links to view the full videos on the Online Academy!
Other Videos
Click here to view the full index of available videos, including links to several from previous and other syllabuses (further information on our project for the previous 2021 & 2022 syllabus is available here).
Videos for over 70 pieces have been recorded already and are currently in the various stages of the editing process. Several further shoots are planned and we will be releasing the videos in frequent installments over the coming months. Please click here to sign-up to our mailing list for updates and notifications on this project and our resources for piano examinations.
Practising the Piano Online Academy
The Practising the Piano Online Academy is the ultimate online resource for mastering the piano. It features a constantly growing library of thousands of articles, videos and musical excerpts on topics including practising, piano technique and performing from leading experts. Please click here to find out more about the Online Academy or on one of the options below to subscribe:
- Monthly subscription – Subscribe for £13.99 a month to get full, unlimited access to all Online Academy articles and updates (click here to sign-up for this option)
- Annual subscription – Save almost 30% on the monthly subscription with an annual subscription for £119.99 per year and get free eBooks and editions worth over £70! (click here to sign-up for this option)