MusicCoach difficulty
63/100
Intermediate
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
Harmonic analysis
1
Theory
Knowledge of forms
1
Pedaling
Sustain pedal
1
Style
Romantic style
1
Rhythm
Tempo rubato
1
Style
Character and style
1
Technique
Legato
1
Interpretation
Dynamics
1
Interpretation
Phrasing
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. 9 in E major, op. 14 no. 1
Ludwig van Beethoven
close skills
low risk
to confirm
A short step up — but it is the one that moves you into Intermediate (around grade 6 ABRSM/RCM). The skill that will carry the work: Connaissance des formes — understand the form and the harmony before memorising, or memory collapses the moment you play for someone.
Gentle
Sonata Allegro Exposition in F minor, JS 179a
Jean Sibelius
close skills
low risk
to confirm
A short step up — but it is the one that moves you into Intermediate (around grade 6 ABRSM/RCM). The skill that will carry the work: Connaissance des formes — understand the form and the harmony before memorising, or memory collapses the moment you play for someone.
Balanced step
A genuine step up, without a jolt.
Balanced
Piano Sonata no. 10 in G major, op. 14 no. 2
Ludwig van Beethoven
close skills
moderate risk
to confirm
A real step up: this piece moves you into Intermediate (around grade 6 ABRSM/RCM). New compared with the previous piece: Indépendance des mains and Connaissance des formes — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.
Balanced
Piano Sonata no. 1 in F minor, op. 2 no. 1
Ludwig van Beethoven
close skills
moderate risk
to confirm
A real step up: this piece moves you into Intermediate (around grade 6 ABRSM/RCM). New compared with the previous piece: Indépendance des mains and Connaissance des formes — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.
Ambitious challenge
A useful leap with guided practice.
Challenge
Piano Sonata D flat major D 567
Franz Schubert
close skills
high risk
to confirm
An ambitious leap into Intermediate (around grade 7 ABRSM/RCM) — only worth starting if the practice time is really there. New compared with the previous piece: Style classique and Indépendance des mains — the notes are not enough: articulation and ornaments follow performance conventions best checked in an urtext edition.
Challenge
Sonata in A minor, K.54, L.241
Domenico Scarlatti
partial transfer
high risk
to confirm
An ambitious leap into Intermediate (around grade 7 ABRSM/RCM) — only worth starting if the practice time is really there. New compared with the previous piece: Style baroque and Ornements baroque — the notes are not enough: articulation and ornaments follow performance conventions best checked in an urtext edition.
Same level
Same level
March in E major, D.606
Franz Schubert
partial transfer
low risk
to confirm
Equivalent demands, right at the edge of Intermediate (around grade 5 ABRSM/RCM): different ground, same level. What changes is the skill in play: Technique générale — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.
Same level
Sonatina in G major Op.79
Ludwig van Beethoven
partial transfer
low risk
to confirm
Equivalent demands, still Elementary (around grade 5 ABRSM/RCM): what changes is the ground. What changes is the skill in play: Style classique and Connaissance des formes — the notes are not enough: articulation and ornaments follow performance conventions best checked in an urtext edition.
Same level
5 Klavierstücke, D.459a
Franz Schubert
close skills
low risk
to confirm
Equivalent demands, still Elementary (around grade 5 ABRSM/RCM): what changes is the ground. What changes is the skill in play: Indépendance des mains — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.
The Andante unfolds in a gentle, song-like mood, with lyrical episodes that require a clear singing line and more subdued responses in the accompaniment. Technically, Knowledge of forms (3.6/5) is important here to honour repeats and internal reprises and to shape transitions between sections — this means thinking in larger phrase units and adjusting touch and dynamics approaching cadences — and Tempo rubato (3.1/5) calls for a flexible right-hand gesture that can slightly lengthen melodic notes without disturbing the steady left-hand accompaniment. The movement belongs to Schubert's piano sonata output and reflects his melodic and harmonic concerns at an earlier stage of his compositional work. I do not give a recommended reference performance because I am not sufficiently certain of a specific recording for this work.