Huge congratulations to Mark, who has recently passed his ABRSM Performance Grade 7 piano exam!

This is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the enormous amount of effort and dedication Mark has put in over recent months. Preparing for a Grade 7 exam is no small feat – it requires a high level of technical control, musical sensitivity, and sustained practice. Mark rose to the challenge with determination, working hard to refine each piece and bring out its character.

He was awarded a Pass – but very nearly achieved a Merit, missing it by just two marks! The examiner praised the technical reliability across all his performances, noting confident pacing, accurate rhythms, and thoughtful use of pedal to enhance sonority and texture.

Mark’s programme featured a wonderfully varied selection of music, each presenting its own interpretive and technical challenges:

  • Allegretto (No. 4 from Čtvrtky a osminky, H. 257) – Bohuslav Martinů
    A vibrant and rhythmically playful piece by the Czech composer Martinů, this short work demands precision and clarity in articulation. Mark delivered a performance marked by aligned hands, accurate note placement, and consistent pacing, all underpinned by growing confidence as the piece unfolded.

  • At the Evening Window (No. 4 from Four Stories) – Jan Freidlin
    This gentle and introspective piece evokes the stillness of twilight. Mark captured its reflective mood through sensitive pacing and shaped phrasing, with the examiner noting the persuasive flow of the musical narrative, even if more consistent sentiment would have elevated it further.

  • Prelude: Twilight, Op. 69 – Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee
    A richly expressive and contemporary piece, this prelude explores delicate textures and a sense of emotional fragility. Mark brought reliable rhythm and assured pedal work to the performance, though the examiner suggested a wider range of expressive contrast could have deepened the piece’s emotional impact.

  • Song without Words, Op. 19 No. 1 – Felix Mendelssohn
    One of Mendelssohn’s lyrical miniatures, this piece blends classical structure with romantic warmth. Mark navigated the flowing passagework with confidence, and while a clearer melodic prominence would have added to the style, the overall texture conveyed much of the romantic spirit.

The examiner concluded that Mark’s performance demonstrated “obvious confidence and sincerity”, with natural pacing from piece to piece. With just a little more expressive contrast and engagement with individual styles, a Merit would have been well within reach.

Well done, Mark – a result to be proud of, and a solid foundation as you look ahead to future musical goals!