Intermediate

Burgmüller - 13. Consolation in C Major (from 25 Easy and Progressive Etudes, Op. 100)

The thirteenth étude, Consolation (Comfort), returns to the familiar key of C major. Marked dolce lusingando (sweetly and caressingly), it calls for careful control of tone as we balance melody and accompaniment not only between the two hands, but also within each hand. There are many beautiful, expressive moments in this etude that we need to enjoy and savour as we play them. The harmonic progression in bars 5 and 6 that enhances chord ii in what would otherwise be a standard sequence of chords is one example, the modulation to E minor (bars 14-15) another. The semibreves in the... Read >>

Chopin - Sostenuto in E flat

ABRSM Grade 5 – B1

Chopin's Sostenuto in E flat or Waltz in E flat was discovered as recently as 1941, by the Director of the Paris Conservatoire, Dr. Jacques Chailley. There are precious few works of Chopin that are suitable for the intermediate level pianist, so Grade V candidates will be extremely happy to... Read >>

Farrenc - Mouvement de valse (No. 15 from 25 études faciles, Op. 50)

ABRSM Grade 4 - A2

This graceful waltz is a study in lightness of touch (leggiero), both in the right hand figuration and in the left hand accompaniment. The extended semiquaver passagework requires careful consideration of the keyboard choreography involved, as well as suitable practice methods to create a sound that is even yet contoured. This piece offers a good opportunity to explore how a composer uses standard harmonic progressions to form phrase structures. Preview (please log-in or subscribe to see full video) ... Read >>

Schumann - Von fremden Ländern und Menschen

Kinderszenen, Op. 15, no. 1

Schumann’s Von fremden Länder und Menschen (Of Foreign Lands and People), the first piece of his Kinderszenen (Scenes of Childhood), is a poetic evocation of the dream-like world of children. In this article, the three strands of the music — melody, bass, and accompaniment — are studied individually before being... Read >>

Burgmüller - Velocity, Op. 109 No. 10

ABRSM Grade 6 – A6

Velocity is the tenth piece in a collection of small character studies by Friedrich Burgmüller (1806-1874). In the tradition of the very best studies, each piece presents a technical problem to be overcome and practised, while at the same time having a distinct musical appeal that raises it to the status of art. In Velocity, the main challenge is control of right hand semiquavers at high speed as the patterns move across the keyboard, even crossing over the accompanimental left hand’s repeated chords in two places. The player can develop the necessary leggiero touch by practising the semiquavers at first... Read >>

CPE Bach - Solfeggietto in C Minor

H220 Wq177:2

The term “solfeggietto” means an exercise, or little study. This much-loved little piece is a study in evenness of tempo and touch, but it is also a study in composition (how a piece of music may be constructed from the simplest of ideas). This series of videos provides an introduction... Read >>

Kuhlau - Allegretto, Op. 55 No. 2

This delicate sonata form movement in Classical style contains many lovely ideas. We find smooth lyrical melodies contrasting with sprightlier themes, and the opportunity to explore the sonorities from the different registers of the piano. Resources & links Click here to purchase sheet music form the Trinity College online store (external link). Click here to view open domain editions for these works (external link). Click here to view the index for our Guide to the Trinity... Read >>

Cimarosa - Allegro (3rd movt from Sonata in C minor, C.68)

ABRSM Grade 5 - A1

Famous for his comic operas, Domenico Cimarosa wrote more than 80 keyboard sonatas. This Allegro is the final movement of his Sonata in C minor, C. 68. We find fast spinning patterns in almost every bar, often featuring right hand repeated notes that add to the piece’s challenges. Along with much music from the period, there are no dynamic or articulation markings in the original manuscript. To bring the music to life on the piano, we need to find as much colour as possible - using dynamic contrasts and varying our touch. Key colour is an important consideration here, with... Read >>

Schumann - Sicilienne (No. 11 from Album for the Young, Op. 68)

A Sicililienne is typically a gentle, lilting pastoral type of dance. Schumann asks us to play mischievously, and there are opportunities for touches of humour in this piece. The biggest challenge is to preserve the pulse when moving between the compound and simple time signatures. Resources & links Click here to purchase sheet music form the Trinity College online store (external link). Click here to view open domain editions for these works (external link, see page 9). ... Read >>