Melanie Spanswick offers up some great repertoire ideas for advanced-level pianists – that's approximately Grade 8 to Assiciate Diploma level.
This is the third and final part in a series delving into suitable repertoire intended to develop your piano playing at whatever your current level.
Whether you structure practice so that you are able to tackle the following repertoire altogether or decide to focus on each piece separately, one after another, the building blocks found in these suggested works will serve as useful preparation for higher level exams and therefore, a higher level of piano skill. Here are a few ideas for advanced level players: approximately Grade 8 to Associate diploma level.
1: JS Bach
As in my two previous posts in this series, I would begin by introducing the music of JS Bach. At this level, students will have hopefully played some two- and three-part inventions (or Sinfonias) so are prepped and ready for the preludes and fugues: if not, it’s worthwhile going back to learn a couple of Inventions as an introduction. The Preludes and Fugues are a monumental series and they serve as the ideal repertoire for more advanced students to work at polyphony. I nearly always begin with the Prelude and Fugue in C minor from Book 1 because, as well as being a great piece, the prelude is perfect for developing coordination between the fingers and hands, and the three-part fugue is fairly short. Other preludes and fugues which are useful for this level include the Prelude and Fugue in E major (Book 1) and the Prelude and Fugue in G major (Book 2). For those preparing for the ARSM diploma check out the Prelude and Fugue in G minor from Book 2. Further contrapuntal options might include Clara Schumann’s Preludes and Fugues Op. 16 (the B flat major is probably the best choice), Ludas Tonalis by Paul Hindemith, and the wonderful Preludes and Fugues Op. 87 by Dmitri Shostakovich.
2: Studies & Exercises
Studies or exercises for this level become more serious affairs. A good place to start might be Carl Czerny’s Op. 720 known as The Art of Finger Dexterity, a volume I worked my way though as a teenager. And you could add any the following: 12 Études Op. 39 by Edward MacDowell (particularly No. 6, Dance of the Gnomes), Gradus ad Parnassum by Muzio Clementi, 50 Études de Salon by Antoine François Marmontel, 12 Études Pittoresques by Camille Stamaty, and 12 Études de Genre Op. 73 by Hermann Berens. My more advanced students love the 15 Etudes de Virtuosité Op.72 by Moritz Moszkowski (especially Nos. 2, 6, and 11).
3: Classical repertoire
Advanced players are spoilt for choice with regards Classical works, especially sonatas. Popular works with my students include the sonatas by Marianne von Martinez, namely the Sonata in E major and Sonata in A major, which are good for finger and rhythmic control as well as being lovely pieces. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Joseph Haydn and Ludwig van Beethoven are all popular but can be a demanding choice for Grade 8 and diploma level players. However, the following are all suitable: Mozart’s Sonata in C major K. 330 and Sonata in B flat major K. 333, Haydn’s Sonata in A flat major Hob 46 and Sonata in D major Hob 37 and Beethoven’s Sonata in C minor Op. 10 No. 1 and Sonata in E major Op. 14 No. 1. In order to develop a feel for playing a proper ‘sonata’ one should really tackle all movements. For something different, try Muzio Clementi’s Sonata in G minor Op, 7 No. 3 or Beethoven’s 6 Ecossaises WoO 86. For those wanting to explore a Theme and Variations option at diploma level try Mozart’s ever popular on 12 Variations "Ah, vous dirai-je, maman" KV 265, and the Adagio in B minor K 540 is the perfect ARSM or ATCL level choice for the less-confident student. Many view Franz Schubert as a late-Classical composer and my students all enjoy playing his Impromptu in A flat major D935.
4: Romantic repertoire
It’s time for a selection of Romantic-style works, and here I will name a few favourites for you to explore. Edvard Grieg’s delectable Notturno Op. 54 No. 4 from the Lyric Pieces is probably one of the most ‘beloved’ pieces my students have learned over the years, alongside June or Barcarolle from The Seasons Op. 37a by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Other worthwhile options for Grade 8 and beyond include the following: Nocturne in G minor Op. 37 No. 1 and Nocturne in B major Op 32. No. 1 both by Frédéric Chopin. Sonetto del Petrarca 123 S. 161 from Annees de pelerinage Book 2 and the dreamy Consolation No. 3 in D flat S. 172 from Six Consolations both by Franz Liszt. Spanish Dance No. 5 in E major from 12 Spanish Dances Op. 37 by Enrique Granados or Tango Op. 65 No. 2 from Espana by Issac Albeniz for those who prefer a Spanish flavour. For Russian romantics try a few Preludes Op. 11 by Alexander Scriabin, particularly No. 12 and 13 which should satisfy those who love their chromaticism, and Preludes Op. 46 No. 2 and 4 by Anatoly Liadov are equally attractive, or the ever-popular Prelude in C sharp minor Op. 3 No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninov. As I always want to represent female composers, so please don’t ignore works such as Teresa Carreño’s sentimentally melancholic Plainte Op. 17 No. 1 or Amy Beach’s atmospheric Dreaming, No. 3 from Four Sketches Op. 15.
5: Closer to present day
Twentieth century, Impressionist and Contemporary offerings: French composer Debussy’s Dr Gradus ad Parnassum (from Children’s Corner Suite), Arabesque No. 1, and the Girl with the Flaxen Hair (No. 8 from Preludes Book 1) are solid choices and for something different try Prelude in D flat major by Lili Boulanger, a piece I work on regularly with students. A couple of movements from Janacek’s In the Mists would be a luscious post-Grade 8 option, as would Spanish composer Federico Mompou’s wonderful Scènes d'enfants, and for a livelier character try Sacro-Monte Op. 55 No. 5 by Joaquín Turina.
Those who prefer more ‘modern’ styles will surely love a selection from Mikrokosmos Sz. 107 (try Dances in Bulgarian Rhythm Nos. 2 and 6) by Béla Bartók, Visions Fugitives Op. 22 (try No. 1, 16, 17, or 20) by Sergei Prokofiev, Scott Joplin’s The Entertainer, George Gershwin’s Prelude No. 2 (from Three Preludes) and James P Johnson’s Sugar (1926). As we move to Contemporary fayre, here are some student favourites: Études No. 6 or 8 by Philip Glass, Consolation Sereine or the really effective Perpetuum mobile both from Játékok by György Kurtág, The Heart Asks Pleasure First by Michael Nymen, Elena Kats-Chernin’s Russian Rag or Alexander’s Rag, and In the Dew, a Homage to Janáček by Cheryl Francis-Hoad. You could also plump for my collection, Simply Driven, which offers a colourful collection of five dramatic and often chromatic pieces.
These ideas are intended as a ‘starting point’ to get you exploring the vast range of pedagogical music available to all those who study the piano. Enjoy!
MORE FROM MELANIE
For a comprehensive anthology written with the adult returner in mind, check out Melanie's complete Play it again: PIANO series (Schott): four substantial books taking students from late beginner to diploma level via a large selection of repertoire and plenty technical help and practice ideas (which include many pieces mentioned in this post).
Find out more and purchase Simply Driven (Schott) for students of Grade 8 – LRSM/LTCL level.
Find out more and purchase Women Composers – A Graded Anthology For Piano.