Que jouer après Hexaméron, S. 392: VIIIa. Variation VI…

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Gentle step

The safest next step.

Gentle

Appendix: 1. Version of Variation V

Antonio Vivaldi

73/100 +5 pts 7-14 weeks

partial transfer low risk to confirm

A short step up, staying in Advanced (around grade 8 ABRSM/RCM). The skill that will carry the work: Ornements romantiques — ornaments must be secure before the piece goes up to tempo, otherwise they break the line instead of decorating it.

Gentle

Variations on a Theme by Schumann, op. 9

Johannes Brahms

73/100 +5 pts 7-14 weeks

partial transfer low risk to confirm

A short step up, staying in Advanced (around grade 8 ABRSM/RCM). New compared with the previous piece: Connaissance des formes — understand the form and the harmony before memorising, or memory collapses the moment you play for someone.

Gentle

7 Variations on a Gypsy Song, J.219, op. 55

Carl Maria von Weber

72/100 +4 pts 7-14 weeks

partial transfer low risk to confirm

Gentle

Nocturne No. 17 in B major, Op. 62, No. 1

Frédéric Chopin

74/100 +6 pts 7-14 weeks

close skills low risk to confirm

A short step up, staying in Advanced (around grade 8 ABRSM/RCM). New compared with the previous piece: Passages rapides and Demi-pédale — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.

Gentle

Nocturne in E-flat major Op.55 No.2

Frédéric Chopin

72/100 +4 pts 7-14 weeks

close skills low risk to confirm

A short step up, staying in Advanced (around grade 8 ABRSM/RCM). New compared with the previous piece: Passages rapides and Voix chantante — 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

Ballade in the Form of Variations on an Norwegian Melody in G minor, op. 24

Edvard Grieg

80/100 +12 pts 14-28 weeks

new reflexes moderate risk to confirm

A real step up, staying in Advanced (around grade 8 ABRSM/RCM). 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.

Balanced

Variations brillantes, Op.12

Frédéric Chopin

78/100 +10 pts 14-28 weeks

partial transfer moderate risk to confirm

A real step up, staying in Advanced (around grade 8 ABRSM/RCM). New compared with the previous piece: Passages rapides — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.

Balanced

Piano Sonata B flat major op. post. D 960

Franz Schubert

80/100 +12 pts 16-32 weeks

partial transfer 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: Connaissance des formes and Polyphonie à trois voix ou plus — understand the form and the harmony before memorising, or memory collapses the moment you play for someone.

Balanced

Nocturne No. 13 in C minor, Op. 48, No. 1

Frédéric Chopin

76/100 +8 pts 14-28 weeks

close skills moderate risk to confirm

A real step up, staying in Advanced (around grade 8 ABRSM/RCM). New compared with the previous piece: Octaves and Demi-pédale — 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

Goldberg Variations, BWV.988

Johann Sebastian Bach

87/100 +19 pts 32-64 weeks

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: Polyphonie à trois voix ou plus and Connaissance des formes — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.

Challenge

Polonaise no. 6 in A flat major, op. 53, "Heroic"

Frédéric Chopin

84/100 +16 pts 32-64 weeks

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: Rythmes pointés and Passages rapides — the pitfall is the pulse drifting as soon as the writing thickens: subdivide with the metronome.

Same level

To widen the repertoire without raising the level.

Same level

Sonata in A major K.331

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

68/100 same level 4-7 weeks

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 classique and Rythmes pointés — the notes are not enough: articulation and ornaments follow performance conventions best checked in an urtext edition.

Same level

Étude in E major Op.10 No.3

Frédéric Chopin

69/100 +1 pts 4-7 weeks

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: Indépendance des mains and Voix chantante — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.

Same level

Impromptu no. 1 in A flat major, op. 29

Frédéric Chopin

70/100 +2 pts 4-7 weeks

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 Demi-pédale — practise it slowly and hands separately before any attempt at tempo: that is where tension builds up.

Progressions computed from difficulty, skill overlap and style between works. A What do we play next? recommendation should remain a pedagogical starting point, not an automatic prescription.