Hong Kong Festival 2017 - Grade 3 Piano

March in G - C.P.E.Bach

Tips:

1/   A good two-in-a-bar tempo is needed.  Minim = 69/72 works well. It should not be played as if in 4 time.

2/  Work at RH fingering especially in the opening bars for consistency and change it from the printed suggestion if needed.

3/  The articulation should be mostly detached (not too short).  Slurring from first to second quavers (e.g. bars 10/11 & 14/15 etc) adds a nice bit of variety.

4/   Add a trill in bar 7 & 20 by using 4 semiquavers, beginning on the note above the main note.

5/  Repeated notes should be quite light in tone and the LH always played with a sense of musical direction.

Sonatina in C major - Latour

Tips;

1/  The tempo indication is Allegretto and 4 in-a-bar not 2.  It must sound poised and elegant.

2/  Let the phrasing rise and fall with a natural lyrical shape as the RH line goes up and down.

3/  Keep LH tone light and the balance always in favour of the RH.

4/  Observe the dynamic contrasts well for maximum variety.

5/   In ff at the end make it an enjoyable bouncy loud sound, not heavy handed and hard in quality.

Reaper's Song - Schumann

Tips:

1/   Bright and optimistic - this is the mood.  Dotted crotchet = 88 - 96 is quick enough.  It should sound fun. not hectic.

2/  The frequent 2nd beat accent should be natural and not sudden or harsh.  It adds a little weight and momentum to the line and should never sound like an ugly accent.

3/  shape the forte sections with really good legato in 4 bar phrases.

4/  Practice RH double notes (bars 29 - 32) slowly and build up to tempo gradually.

5/  Use pedal as suggested to emphasize the second beat of bars.  Bars 13 - 19 should be played legato without pedal.

6/  No rit is needed at the end. A tempo and rhythmic throughout.