MusicCoach difficulty
72/100
Advanced
Level of the complete work
We have no level specific to this movement. The figure above is that of the complete work: within a cycle, movements often differ widely in demand.
Estimated skills
Theory
Knowledge of forms
1
Technique
Hand independence
1
Technique
Fast passages
1
Rhythm
Polyrhythm 2 against 3
1
Technique
General technique
1
What to play next?
Each suggestion combines difficulty gap, risk, confidence and skill overlap. The first two cards in each column are the most useful pedagogically.
Gentle step
The safest next step.
Gentle
Piano Sonata no. 1
Einar Englund
close skills
low risk
to confirm
A short step up, staying in Advanced (around grade 8 ABRSM/RCM). The skill that will carry the work: Passages rapides and Connaissance des formes — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.
Gentle
Piano Sonata in A minor, D. 845
Franz Schubert
partial transfer
low risk
to confirm
A short step up, staying in Advanced (around grade 7 ABRSM/RCM). The skill that will carry the work: Passages rapides and Connaissance des formes — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.
Balanced step
A genuine step up, without a jolt.
Balanced
Piano Sonata no. 3
Alfred Schnittke
partial transfer
moderate risk
to confirm
A real step up, staying in Advanced (around grade 8 ABRSM/RCM). New compared with the previous piece: Analyse harmonique and Indépendance des mains — understand the form and the harmony before memorising, or memory collapses the moment you play for someone.
Balanced
Piano Sonata no. 2, op. 53
Alberto Ginastera
close skills
moderate risk
to confirm
A real step up: this piece moves you into Great repertoire (diploma level, beyond grade 8). New compared with the previous piece: Analyse harmonique and Style moderne et contemporain — understand the form and the harmony before memorising, or memory collapses the moment you play for someone.
Ambitious challenge
A useful leap with guided practice.
Challenge
Piano Sonata in B minor S.178
Franz Liszt
new reflexes
high risk
to confirm
An ambitious leap into Great repertoire (diploma level, beyond grade 8) — only worth starting if the practice time is really there. New compared with the previous piece: Trilles and Analyse harmonique — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.
Challenge
Piano Sonata c minor D 958
Franz Schubert
partial transfer
moderate risk
to confirm
An ambitious leap into Great repertoire (diploma level, beyond grade 8) — only worth starting if the practice time is really there. New compared with the previous piece: Analyse harmonique and Polyphonie à trois voix ou plus — understand the form and the harmony before memorising, or memory collapses the moment you play for someone.
Same level
Same level
French Suite no. 5 in G major, BWV.816
Johann Sebastian Bach
new reflexes
low risk
to confirm
Equivalent demands, still Advanced (around grade 7 ABRSM/RCM): what changes is the ground. What changes is the skill in play: Style baroque and Ornements baroque — the notes are not enough: articulation and ornaments follow performance conventions best checked in an urtext edition.
Same level
Impromptus Op.90 D.899
Franz Schubert
new reflexes
low risk
to confirm
Equivalent demands, still Advanced (around grade 7 ABRSM/RCM): what changes is the ground. The skill that will carry the work: Passages rapides — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.
Same level
Partita no. 1 in B flat major, BWV.825
Johann Sebastian Bach
new reflexes
low risk
to confirm
Equivalent demands, still Advanced (around grade 7 ABRSM/RCM): what changes is the ground. What changes is the skill in play: Style baroque and Ornements baroque — the notes are not enough: articulation and ornaments follow performance conventions best checked in an urtext edition.
The Introduzione ed allegro opens with stark contrasts between dark opening gestures and urgent, rapid outbursts, giving the movement a tense, nervous character rather than a lyrical one; it requires crisp articulation and sustained rhythmic drive. Technically, the Passages rapides (2.5/5) demand secure fingers and economical motion to maintain clarity in fast runs, and the Polyrhythmie 2 contre 3 (2.5/5) requires isolating each hand and an internal steady pulse so the simultaneous rhythms remain clean and independent. This piano sonata stands in Englund's output as a solo keyboard work of strong dramatic character, useful for developing economy of gesture and dramatic timing. I do not give a recommended recording here because I cannot be certain of a definitive reference.