Today I had the great pleasure of presenting an ABRSM Grade 5 Distinction certificate to my pupil Alex.

Alex played a wonderful programme consisting of Handel: Toccata in G minor, HWV 586, J. F. F. Burgmüller: La chevaleresque (No. 25 from 25 études faciles et progressives, Op. 100), Tchaikovsky: Douce rêverie (No. 21 from Album pour enfants, Op. 39), Prokofiev: Tarantella (No. 4 from Musiques d’enfants, Op. 65).

The examiners notes were a pleasure to read: Handel: Toccata in G minor, HWV 586 “The tempo was apt and safely maintained, with a high level of accuracy and fluency. The phrasing was musically shaped, assisted by some finely graded dynamics.”, J. F. F. Burgmüller: La chevaleresque (No. 25 from 25 études faciles et progressives, Op. 100) “The playing was accurate, fluent and full of detail, life and character, with a beautiful sense of shape and direction in the phrasing.”, Tchaikovsky: Douce rêverie (No. 21 from Album pour enfants, Op. 39) “The balance of melody, counter-melody and accompaniment was very well judged as these elements passed between the hands, and much of the phrasing was sensitively shaped…”, Prokofiev: Tarantella (No. 4 from Musiques d’enfants, Op. 65). “There was a good sense of the driving rhythmic character and a high level of accuracy and fluency…”

Summing up the performance “It was a great pleasure to listen to this recording… overall, the qualities of Communication, Interpretation and Delivery were maintained at a consistently high level throughout the programme. Many congratulations on this excellent result, Alexander!”

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