MusicCoach difficulty
75/100
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
Rhythm
Polyrhythm 2 against 3
1
Style
Modern and contemporary style
1
Theory
Harmonic analysis
1
Interpretation
Phrasing
1
Technique
Three-or-more-voice polyphony
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. 3 in C major, op. 25
Erich Wolfgang Korngold
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: Connaissance des formes and Style moderne et contemporain — understand the form and the harmony before memorising, or memory collapses the moment you play for someone.
Gentle
Piano Sonata no. 2 in B minor, op. 61
Dmitri Shostakovich
close skills
low risk
to confirm
A short step up, staying in Advanced (around grade 8 ABRSM/RCM). New compared with the previous piece: Ornements romantiques and Indépendance des mains — ornaments must be secure before the piece goes up to tempo, otherwise they break the line instead of decorating it.
Balanced step
A genuine step up, without a jolt.
Balanced
Piano Sonata no. 3
Michael Tippett
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: Ornements romantiques and Indépendance des mains — ornaments must be secure before the piece goes up to tempo, otherwise they break the line instead of decorating it.
Balanced
Piano Sonata no. 2, "Concord"
Charles Ives
close skills
moderate risk
to confirm
A real step up: this piece moves you into Great repertoire (diploma level, beyond grade 8). The skill that will carry the work: Connaissance des formes 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 no. 3, op. 54
Alberto Ginastera
close skills
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: Passages rapides and Connaissance des formes — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.
Challenge
Piano Sonata no. 4
Michael Tippett
close skills
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: Pédale una corda and Doubles notes — the pedal is set by ear, note by note: misjudged, it blurs the harmony instead of joining it.
Same level
Same level
Study no. 15
Charles Ives
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: Passages rapides and Ornements romantiques — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.
Same level
6 Preludes and Fugues, op. 61
Dmitry Kabalevsky
partial transfer
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: Passages rapides and Style moderne et contemporain — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.
Same level
Suite for Piano, op. 14, BB70, Sz.62
Béla Bartók
partial transfer
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.
This first movement is brisk and incisive, with nervous rhythmic ruptures and bursts of chordal accents that call for a crisp attack rather than a languid lyricism. Technically, you will need to work the 2-against-3 polyrhythm (3.1/5) by isolating the left-hand two-beat grouping while the right hand articulates the three, and the Knowledge of forms (3.6/5) to shape returns and transitions clearly so the structure remains audible amid abundant embellishment. The piece belongs to the composer's modern period and sits in his output as a piano sonata that transfers his rich, almost orchestral harmonic language to the keyboard. I do not provide a recording reference because I am not fully certain of a definitive interpretation for this specific movement.