MusicCoach difficulty
47/100
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
Knowledge of forms
1
Technique
Hand independence
1
Reading
Bass clef reading
1
Interpretation
Phrasing
1
Style
Classical style
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 F major Hob. XVI:9
Franz Joseph Haydn
close skills
low risk
to confirm
A short step up, staying in Elementary (around grade 5 ABRSM/RCM). New compared with the previous piece: Analyse harmonique and Style classique — understand the form and the harmony before memorising, or memory collapses the moment you play for someone.
Gentle
Minuet E flat major from Piano Sonata E flat major op. post. 122 D 568
Franz Schubert
new reflexes
low risk
to confirm
A short step up, staying in Elementary (around grade 5 ABRSM/RCM). New compared with the previous piece: Balance mains — what matters is quality of attack and evenness of tone, not speed.
Balanced step
A genuine step up, without a jolt.
Balanced
Piano Sonata in C major, D. 279
Franz Schubert
close skills
moderate risk
to confirm
A real step up: this piece moves you into Intermediate (around grade 5 ABRSM/RCM). The skill that will carry the work: Style classique and Indépendance des mains — the notes are not enough: articulation and ornaments follow performance conventions best checked in an urtext edition.
Balanced
Sonata in C minor, K.11, L.352
Domenico Scarlatti
partial transfer
moderate risk
to confirm
A real step up, staying in Elementary (around grade 5 ABRSM/RCM). New compared with the previous piece: Analyse harmonique and Style baroque — 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
Sonata in C major K.330 (I)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
partial transfer
high risk
to confirm
An ambitious leap into Intermediate (around grade 6 ABRSM/RCM) — only worth starting if the practice time is really there. New compared with the previous piece: Analyse harmonique and Demi-pédale — understand the form and the harmony before memorising, or memory collapses the moment you play for someone.
Challenge
Piano Sonata in E major, D. 459
Franz Schubert
close skills
high risk
to confirm
An ambitious leap into Intermediate (around grade 6 ABRSM/RCM) — only worth starting if the practice time is really there. The skill that will carry the work: Style classique and Indépendance des mains — the notes are not enough: articulation and ornaments follow performance conventions best checked in an urtext edition.
Same level
Same level
Invention No.4 in D minor BWV 775
Johann Sebastian Bach
new reflexes
low risk
to confirm
Equivalent demands, still Elementary (around grade 4 ABRSM/RCM): what changes is the ground. What changes is the skill in play: Polyphonie à deux voix and Style baroque — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.
Same level
Waltz in G major, D.979
Franz Schubert
new reflexes
low risk
to confirm
Equivalent demands, still Elementary (around grade 3 ABRSM/RCM): what changes is the ground. The demand here is musical rather than mechanical: Tempo rubato — the pitfall is the pulse drifting as soon as the writing thickens: subdivide with the metronome.
Same level
Lied im Freien
Franz Schubert
new reflexes
low risk
to confirm
Equivalent demands, still Elementary (around grade 4 ABRSM/RCM): what changes is the ground. The demand here is musical rather than mechanical: Style romantique — the notes are not enough: articulation and ornaments follow performance conventions best checked in an urtext edition.
This Menuetto Allegro vivace has a lively, dance-like character with crisp accents and quick exchanges between the hands, requiring a clear rhythmic profile rather than overly romantic phrasing. Technically, two focal points emerge: Technique générale (2.5/5) — here you must secure finger independence and even articulation for rapid passages and short jumps, favoring a controlled, relaxed touch; Bass-clef reading (Lecture clé de fa) (2.5/5) — you will need to read and project the lower-voice lines clearly, ensuring reliable left-hand reading so the flow is not compromised. The movement belongs to Schubert's early piano sonatas and sits among his works composed before his mature period. I do not give a recommended recording because I am not fully certain of a single widely recognized reference for this specific movement.