The basic goal is to become a better piano player before my body says no. And also, because I want to be a decent player when I eventually get around to buying my own grand piano.
I have two primary goals:
- Improve my sight reading which is erratic to say the least. I’m capable of sight reading, I’m just not as fluent as I would like to be.
- Obtain my FRSM. This is a 10 year project or so and I have the following steps:
- Grade 5 Theory Target date September 2023
- In theory I can probably pass this now but I have gaps which mean I can pass but not be certain of a higher grade. As it’s a book exam, this should be fixable
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UPDATE: Exam done on 14 August, 2023, result DISTINCTION. Happy me.
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- In theory I can probably pass this now but I have gaps which mean I can pass but not be certain of a higher grade. As it’s a book exam, this should be fixable
- Grade 6 Performance Target date April, 2024 – update 1 June 24 DELAYED TO JUNE 2024
- Bach 2 part invention in E major in progress. Update 10 February. I’ve abandoned this. It’s not working for me and I have started
- CPE Bach’s Solfeggio instead. ALMOST READY
- Mendelssohn Gondellied 19b ALMOST READY
- Hillne Indigo Moon READY
- Rebikov Autumn Leaves No 3 READY
- UPDATE: Exam done on 15 June 2024, result DISTINCTION.
Happy me
- Grade 8 Performance Target date December 2025. Pieces are now 2025-26 syllabus so the urgency is less fixed now.
- Rameau – Les Cyclopes started
- Liszt Consolation No 2. (replaces June by Tchaikovsky and is self selected piece)
- Debussy Reverie read through done
- Rachmaninov, Moment Musical Opus 16/5 started
- ARSM Target date 2027
- Brahms Intermezzo in A major started
- Fauré Barcarolle No 1
- Rachmaninoff Prelude tbd
- tbd Gershwin
- tbd some Bach
- tbd Schuman Fantasiestuecke no 1/2
- tbd Chopin
- tbd Beethoven probably not
- Recital length is 30 minutes of which 10 can be self selected at at least Grade 8 level. I absolutely want to do the Brahms, the Fauré and the Gershwin. But this is not enough. I looked at the Sonatas from Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven (Pathetique was tempting). There’s a possibility that I might bring something forward from the LRSM and selected possibly something transcribed by Vyacheslav Gryaznov (Italian Polka possibly) or The Lark Glinka/Balakirev). I do not really have an overarching theme to bring this list together yet. As I expect to do 2 sonatas for FRSM should I get there, I am not overly worried about the lack of a Sonata just yet.
- LRSM Target date 2029
- Chopin Ballade No 1 or 2
- Mendelssohn Rondo Capricioso
- tbd from Rachmaninoff list
- tbd Brahms or Beethoven.
- Opus 118/6
- FRSM Target date 2031
- Beethoven Appassionata or Liszt Sonata in B Minor or Rachmaninoff Sonata No 2
- Chopin Sonata No 3 in B minor
- Liszt Sonata in B Minor
- Grade 5 Theory Target date September 2023
| Qualification | Date | Result |
| ABRSM Grade 5 Theory | August 2023 | Distinction |
| ABRMS Grade 6 Performance | June 2024 (late) | Distinction |
| ABRMS Grade 8 Performance | December 2025 | |
| ABRSM ARSM | 2027 | |
| ABRMS LRSM | 2029 | |
| ABRMS FRSM | 2031 |