MusicCoach difficulty
55/100
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
Technique
Legato
1
Technique
Fast passages
1
Interpretation
Phrasing
1
Style
Classical style
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 D major Hob. XVI:4
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
Sonata in C major K.545
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
partial transfer
low risk
to confirm
A short step up, staying in Elementary (around grade 5 ABRSM/RCM). New compared with the previous piece: Staccato and Analyse harmonique — 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 A major Hob. XVI:26
Franz Joseph Haydn
close skills
moderate risk
to confirm
A real step up: this piece moves you into Intermediate (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.
Balanced
Piano Sonata D major Hob. XVI:19
Franz Joseph Haydn
close skills
moderate risk
to confirm
A real step up: this piece moves you into Intermediate (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.
Ambitious challenge
A useful leap with guided practice.
Challenge
Gamba Sonata (Violoncello) g minor BWV 1029
Franz Schubert
new reflexes
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: Polyphonie à trois voix ou plus and Ornements romantiques — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.
Challenge
Gamba Sonata (Violoncello) G major BWV 1027
Franz Schubert
new reflexes
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: Polyphonie à trois voix ou plus and Ornements romantiques — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.
Same level
Same level
Invention No.8 in F major BWV 779
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: Style baroque and Polyphonie à deux voix — the notes are not enough: articulation and ornaments follow performance conventions best checked in an urtext edition.
Same level
2 Minuets, D.380
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: Tempo rubato — the pitfall is the pulse drifting as soon as the writing thickens: subdivide with the metronome.
This Andante gives a warm, intimate feel, built on a singing melody and clear resonances that call for tenderness rather than overt drama. Technically, the main challenges for you will be Phrasing (2.5/5) — shaping long melodic lines with subtle dynamic shading and small wrist/arm breaths — and Legato (2.5/5) — maintaining connection between notes through finger overlap and controlled arm weight to avoid gaps. In Schubert’s piano output, this movement belongs to his sonatas and exemplifies the lyrical simplicity and formal clarity often found in his keyboard works. I am not listing a specific recommended recording here to avoid giving a possibly inaccurate reference.