ABRSM Grade 4 Distinction

Today I had the great pleasure of presenting an ABRSM Grade 4 Distinction certificate to my pupil Alex.

Alex played a wonderful programme consisting of: J. S. Bach: Prelude in C minor, BWV 999, Schumann: Erster Verlust (No. 16 from Album für die Jugend, Op. 68), J.S Bach: Prelude in D Minor and finishing with Bartók: Teasing Song (No. 18 from For Children, Vol. 2).

The examiners notes were a pleasure to read: J. S. Bach: Prelude in C minor, BWV 999 “This flowed with ease from the outset and was played with a light and even touch. Voicing was clear and there was appropriate and subtle shaping within phrases.”, Schumann: Erster Verlust (No. 16 from Album für die Jugend, Op. 68) “The melody sang with clarity and this captured the character with effective rubato and effortless shaping. Played with musical intention and understanding vivid portrayal of the style.”, J.S Bach: Prelude in D Minor “…this was stylistic playing and accurate in the main, with a well contoured sense of line.”, Bartók: Teasing Song (No. 18 from For Children, Vol. 2) “Lively articulation with detail in accents.”

Summing up the performance “…stylistic understanding and vivid communication of line and shape were apparent throughout. Much of this was played with ease and a natural sense of musicality, particularly the Schumann”

I would like to thank Alex and his parents for the hard work as we finalised his preparation in the lead-up to the exam and also for having confidence in me to teach him.