Our next four videos for the 2023 & 2024 ABRSM piano examination syllabus are now available on the Online Academy. These videos feature works from the Grade 4 list, including pieces by Handel and Tchaikovsky, a delightful Waltz by Louise Farrenc and a beautiful piece by one of the most successful female musicians of the 19th century, Cecile Chaminade.
New Videos
Grade 4 A2: Farrenc – Mouvement de valse (No. 15 from 25 études faciles, Op. 50)
This charming little waltz by Louise Farrenc requires elegance in phrasing and a lightness in the left hand accompaniment. In this video excerpt, Graham Fitch shows how to play the accompaniment and practise it using a technique called blocking:
Grade 4 A3: Handel – Allegro in F, HWV 488
A Courante is a Baroque dance and literally means “running” in French. Although titled as Allegro, this piece by Handel in the ABRSM Grade 4 syllabus certainly has the feel of a Courante. This video excerpt offers an idea for learning the opening theme which can also make practising your scales more fun!
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Grade 4 B2: Chaminade – Idylle (No. 1 from Album des enfants, deuxième série, Op. 126)
Cécile Chaminade (1857-1944) was one of the most successful female professional musicians of the 19th century, specialising in piano and vocal works. Idylle is a charming, melodious piece from her Album des enfants. In this video excerpt, Graham Fitch gives us some background on the composer and introduces the work:
Grade 4 B3: Tchaikovsky – La nouvelle poupée (No. 6 from Album pour enfants, Op. 39)
La nouvelle poupée from Tchaikovsky’s Album for the Young gives an intermediate pianist the opportunity to learn a beautifully constructed miniature by a great master. In this video excerpt, Graham Fitch explores the opening theme which depicts the winding up and down of the doll:
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.
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