Guide to Passing the ATCL Piano Recital Diploma Exams!

What is ATCL Piano Recital Diploma Exam all about????

This is a guide with resources and pointers to prepare for the most basic ATCL piano Recital Diploma. Most of us, after passing ABRSM Grade 8, will be considering the Diploma Syllabus in our next phase of pianistic achievements. Here, I recommend ATCL(Recital) as the window and the stepping stone to other more sophisticated qualifications. ATCL is the first level diploma offered by the Trinity College Examinations Board.

Here is a copy of the latest exam syllabus

Pls read through it carefully. I will summarise the important feature of the exam:

1. Recital Exams only requires performance of a set of pieces, no scales, no sight reading, no aural tests, no verbal QnA

2. There is a long list ( check the syllabus ) of pieces to assimilate your program from. You can choose to play anything from the list as long as you can make the entire duration last somewhere 32-38 minutes. Timing is important!

3. Sensible choice of pieces is half of the battle. I will explain this further.

4. Candidates are to treat the exam like a professional Recital performance. (ie. Mini-concert) So, just imagine all the features you observe when you attend other pianists' recital concerts. You need to prepare a set of program notes, dressed in professional attire, carry yourself with a professional aura. To be perfectly professional, most pianists play from memory. But, you don't get penalized for playing with scores either. It is the overall impression you portray that matters.

This is an expensive exam to take. Do be fluent in your playing first before you register for the exams. This is different from the lower graded exams where you can register first to “push” yourself to practise harder. But still, it is one of the most fulfilling and the most forgiving diploma exam! It is stated that the expected level of playing is at first year of undergraduate studies in degree course. You are expected to be advanced and reasonably technically fluent player, but not virtuoso.

Choice of Repertoire: How to choose? (Part 2)

Here are some examples of combinations that are good with explanations.
Program No. 1
JS Bach Prelude and Fugue No. 5  BWV 850 or No. 6 BWV 851 (Glenn Gould demo)
Beethoven Sonata in C minor Op. 10 no. 1 ( Barenboim demo )
Brahms Intermezzo in A Op. 118 no.2 ( Rubenstein demo )
Poulenc Trois novelettes, nos. 1 and 2 ( Jocelyn Freeman demo )
checklist:
contrast in period: yes
contrast in structure: yes
contrast in meter: yes
contrast in mood: yes
contrast in articulation/technique: yes
good mixture of “famous” and “not so famous” pieces: yes
In fact, this is a very well balanced program showing casing the features of works characteristic of each period. And aesthetically, the flow is pleasing too. This is a very regular and satisfying program.

Program No. 2:
Alkan Barcarolle op. 65 (from Trente Chants vol. 3) (Jack Gibbons demo )
Mozart Sonata in C k.309 ( A. Schiff demo )
Ravel Pavane pour une infante defunté ( Richter demo )
contrast in period: yes
contrast in structure: yes
contrast in meter: yes
contrast in mood: yes
contrast in articulation/technique: yes
good mixture of “famous” and “not so famous” pieces: yes
This is a more adventurous and idiosyncratic program. There are only 3 works but it should fulfill the overall duration as there are 2 major works. It's less conventional due to the opening piece by Alkan, and the program climaxes to the well loved pieces by Ravel. As such, this is a rather advanced program.

Program No. 3:
Mozart Sonata in C k.309 (A. Schiff demo )
Chopin Ballade No. 3 Op. 47 (Lim Dong-min demo)
Debussy La plus que Lente (Samson Francois demo)
contrast in period: yes
contrast in structure: yes
contrast in meter: yes
contrast in mood: yes
contrast in articulation/technique: yes
good mixture of “famous” and “not so famous” pieces: yes
This program illustrates how a program does not necessarily open with a piece from the Baroque era. In this case, an early sonata from Mozart could take up the role as an opening piece as well. Again, 3 works is sufficient for the program due to the larger works from Mozart and Chopin.

In summary, the secrets to a good ( effective ) program are:
1. you do not have to begin with a baroque piece
2. you do not have to include works from ALL FOUR eras. minimum of three is good enough
3. include at least ONE majot work ( major works are usually "heavier" pieces like sonatas, or a stand alone piece with performance duration around 8 to 10 min )
4. remember, variation of level of difficulty and popularity!
Posted by Usukimo

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