2025 marks 21 years since I first entered a student for an ABRSM graded exam. I say ABRSM because, well, I’ve never heard of any other exam boards back then. All I had to draw on was my experience as a learner, taking, you’ve guessed it, ABRSM piano exams!
That has, of course, changed a lot over the past 21 years. Nowadays, I enter very few students for exams, and in addition to ABRSM, I now use Trinity and LCM. Nevertheless, like it or not, ABRSM has had a huge impact on my teaching. I can look back now with a broader vision, and greater wisdom and experience, but I can also pinpoint those ABRSM piano pieces which had a big impact on my teaching, many of which were favourites with my students too.
To mark these 21 years of entering students for exams, I revisited past ABRSM piano syllabuses to chose 21 pieces; 21 influential and favourite pieces which have shaped and impacted my teaching in lots of different ways. Some of these will be familiar, pieces which have stood the test of time (and which returned on later syllabuses). Some seem to have fallen into the mists of time. There are many which, of course, should be better known.
Join me on a trip down memory lane as I take you back to 2004. I wonder if you remember…
1. Equivoque No. 8 (Raymond Weber)
Grade 3, 2005-6
Having had a predominantly classical upbringing, this was probably my first introduction to contemporary piano music, or at least, it felt contemporary then. Its lovely, lilting 6/8 time hides the biting ambiguities of C naturals throughout in the RH, and C sharps in the LH.
2. An Apple Hangs on the Apple Tree (Witold Lutosławski)
Grade 4, 2005-6
Another contemporary piece, but a beguiling folk melody. Crisp and precise articulation and a wide range of dynamic contrasts made this an intriguing choice at Grade 4 20 years ago.
3. New Orleans Nightfall (William Gillock)
Grade 5, 2005-6
One of the early jazz choices, and a piece which has not only stood the test of time, but has seen something of a resurgence. Another generation is now discovering the huge output of William Gillock, and rightly so. The Graded Gillock series has brought his diverse output to life.
4. Das Echo (Theodor Westen)
Grade 1, 2005-6
A popular teaching piece which I’m still using regularly in my studio today, though I note that in later publications, it is simply, ‘The Echo’. It’s a great piece for identifying patterns!
5. In the Pink (Brian Chapple)
Grade 1, 2005-6
A great favourite amongst students and teachers, and still a piece very much in circulation.
6. Autumn Crocus (Billy Mayerl)
Grade 8, 2005-6
Like many of us, I already knew ‘Marigold’, but ‘Autumn Crocus’ introduced me to whole set of new pieces by Billy Mayerl. A firm, if challenging favourite, with advanced students 20 years ago.
7. Four Calling Birds (Richard Rodney Bennett)
Grade 6, 2007-8
An intriguing piece with its ornamented bird-like calls, and a piece which left sufficient an impression that nearly 20 years on, I now enjoy playing and teaching all 12 pieces in Partridge Pie.
8. The Old Cuckoo-Clock (Nina Bachinaskaya)
Grade 1, 2007-8
A firm favourite with this teacher, although I’m not sure I’ve ever convinced my own students! A great, characterful piece which I was very pleased to see appear in ABRSM’s Encore, Book 1.
9. Retrato de Alfredo Gobbi (Astor Piazzolla)
Grade 8, 2009-10
My first introduction to the music of Piazzolla, and at the time, it felt quite a brave choice of ABRSM piano piece at Grade 8.
10. Miniature in D minor (Aleksandr Gedike)
Grade 5, 2011-12
A beautiful, lyrical piece which should be better known.
11. Prelude and Fugue in B flat (Clara Schumann)
Grade 8, 2011-12
What at the time felt like an extremely brave choice to include at Grade 8, but another piece which is now, rightly, much better known and loved, and for many, has opened up a huge, untapped repertoire of works by Clara Schumann.
12. Zur Sonnenuntergangsstunde (Manfred Schmitz)
Grade 3, 2013-14
A memorable piece, not just for its title, but also for its gorgeous, evocative lyricism.
13. Indian Pony Race (David Carr Glover)
Grade 4, 2015-16
A piece which seemed unfailingly popular with students, yet divided opinion amongst teachers…possibly because it was annoyingly catchy?
14. 60s Swing (Evelien Vis)
Grade 5, 2015-16
A great, jazzy piece which we we somehow left behind 10 years ago. Time for a revival?
15. Prelude and Fugue formed on an Indian Scale (William Alwyn)
Grade 8, 2015-16
For many, our first introduction to the piano music of William Alwyn, and it’s been great to see this piece subsequently taken up by other exam boards.
16. Canzonetta (Frank Bridge)
Grade 8, 2015-16
I think we should acknowledge that the 2015-16 ABRSM piano syllabus was a bit of a treasure trove at Grade 8, and here’s another piece which should be better known.
17. September in the Rain (Warren & Dublin, arr. Iles)
Grade 8, 2015-16
Another hit, and for many of us, our first introduction to the beautiful jazz arrangements of Nikki Iles. It’s worth noting that it was around this time that ABRSM began experimenting with including arrangements in their piano syllabus, something which has remained controversial.
18. Sonatina (Nikolay Kapustin)
Grade 8, 2019-20
Another good year for Grade 8, and a fabulous jazz piece introducing many of us to the varied output of Kaptustin.
19. Lullaby (for Edna Trident Hornbryce) (Raymond Yiu)
Grade 8, 2019-20
This was a piece which, in my opinion, never really received the recognition it deserved. It’s a great work, and one which deserves to be given more than a second chance.
20. Lavender Field (Karen Tanaka)
Grade 6, 2021-22
A beautiful, lyrical piece which demanded such control; one which should be in wider use.
21. A Distant Star in the Stillness (David Önaç)
Grade 5, 2023-24
This piece brings us almost up-to-date; a deeply felt, resonant piece, full of mystery and promise, from a composer who we hope to hear more from.
So, apart from a trip down memory lane, what has this taught me?
It’s taught me that there are a huge number of excellent pieces which have appeared on past exam syllabuses, which fell out of use as soon as the syllabus expired. Whilst some have made into later anthologies, notably ABRSM’s Encore series, others appear to have been lost to the mists of time. It’s a reminder that there is much to be discovered and rediscovered, long after a syllabus has ended.
I reckon these pieces are due for a revival! Who’s with me?
Published 7.5.25.
If you have enjoyed this post, please consider supporting my work by buying me a virtual coffee. You can do this from as little as £2 and it enables me continue creating and developing new content, services and products. Your support is much appreciated.
You can also support my work by connecting with me online
