Your treble (alto) recorder grade 4 ABRSM exam will be marked out of 150 and you will need a total of 100 marks to Pass, 120 marks for a Merit and 130 marks for a Distinction.  The exam comprises of four main areas:

    Pieces

    In your exam you are required to play three pieces (worth up to 30 marks each), one from each of the three lists, A, B and C below:

    LIST A

    1. Beethoven Capriccio, arr. Bergmann. Concert Repertoire for Recorder, arr. Adams (Faber)
    2. Giuliani Dance No. 12 (from La Tersicore del Nord, Op. 147) Time Pieces for Treble/Alto Recorder, Vol. 2, arr. Bennetts and Bowman (ABRSM)
    3. Mozart Rondo (from Viennese Sonatinas, No. 4) Time Pieces for Treble/Alto Recorder, Vol. 2, arr. Bennetts and Bowman (ABRSM)
    4. Handel Adagio and Presto: 3rd and 4th movts from Sonata in G minor, Op. 1 No. 2, HWV 360 (Schott OFB 37) or No. 8 from First Repertoire Pieces for Recorder (Treble), arr. Rosenberg (Boosey & Hawkes) or Handel Complete Sonatas for Recorder (Faber or Bärenreiter BA 4259)
    5. Handel La Paix. Handel Music for the Royal Fireworks, arr. Robinson (Peacock Press PAR124)
    6. de Lavigne Tambourins 1 and 2: 3rd and 4th movts from Sonata in C, Op. 2 No. 1, ‘La Baussan’. De Lavigne Three Sonatas, Op. 2, Nos 1–3 (Noetzel N3434) or No. 10 from Dances of the Baroque Era (Editio Musica Z.13100)
    7. J. B. Loeillet Largo from Sonata in G, Op. 1 No. 3. No. 9 from First Repertoire Pieces for Recorder (Treble), arr. Rosenberg (Boosey & Hawkes)
    8. Telemann Rondeau (Bourée). No. 3 from Miscellaneous Dances from Telemann’s Ouvertures, Book 2 (Treble), arr. Robinson (Peacock Press PAR117)
    9. Vivaldi Largo from Concerto, RV 94. No. 2 from Vivaldi Slow Movements for Recorder (Treble), arr. Robinson (Peacock Press PAR105)

    LIST B

    1. Bizet Seguidilla (from Carmen) Amazing Solos for Treble/Alto Recorder, arr. Rosenberg (Boosey & Hawkes)
    2. Warlock Basse Danse (from Capriol Suite) Amazing Solos for Treble/Alto Recorder, arr. Rosenberg (Boosey & Hawkes)
    3. Douglas Coombes Cool Aeolian Blue: from Cool Aeolian Blue for Treble Recorder (Brass Wind)
    4. Michael Jacques Sleepy Waltz or Fiesta: No. 2 or No. 5 from Sounds Good! for Recorder (ABRSM)
    5. Robin Milford Andantino or Andante: No. 1 or No. 2 from Three Airs (OUP)
    6. Jim Parker Soldier, Soldier or The Midsomer Murders. The Music of Jim Parker for Treble Recorder (Brass Wind)
    7. Popp A Merry Song Music for Treble Recorder, Book 1, arr. Hand (Kevin Mayhew)
    8. Stanford Scherzino Music for Treble Recorder, Book 1, arr. Hand (Kevin Mayhew)
    9. Saint-Saëns The Elephant (from The Carnival of the Animals). Time Pieces for Treble/Alto Recorder, Vol. 2, arr. Bennetts and Bowman (ABRSM)

    LIST C

    1. Anon. Allmand. No. 33 from The Flute Master (Schott ED 6605)
    2. Peter Bowman Mexican Jumping Beans. Time Pieces for Treble/Alto Recorder, Vol. 2, arr. Bennetts and Bowman (ABRSM)
    3. Doris da Costa Study No. 43 Treble Recorder Studies, Book 1 (Cramer)
    4. Dorus Study No. 41 (Rondo) Treble Recorder Studies, Book 1 (Cramer)
    5. Demoivre Gavott: 2nd movt from Suite in D. P. 16 from Einzelstücke und Suiten (Schott OFB 21)
    6. Alan Davis Turdus Merula (Blackbird): from Cantus Avium et Volatus (Peacock Press P239)
    7. Hans Keuning Presto: No. 16 from 25 Studies for Treble Recorder (Harmonia XHU2164)

    Scales & Arpeggios

    As part of your exam you are also required to play scales & arpeggios from memory (worth up to 21 marks) - please see the ABRSM Recorder Grades 1-8 Scale Book

    Sight-Reading Test

    You will also be required to sight-read some music that you have not seen before (worth up to 21 marks) - to prepare for this part of your exam please see the ABRSM Recorder Grades 1-5 Sight-Reading Book which has a selection of specimen sight-reading pieces.

    Aural Tests

    In another part of your exam you will be required to complete a set of aural tests challenging your musicianship (worth up to 18 marks). To help prepare for this please see the ABRSM Aural Training in Practice Grades 4-5 Book (a guide with tests) and/or ABRSM Specimen Sight-Reading Tests Grades 4-5 Book (specimen tests).

     

    *Information correct at time of publishing 14.03.16


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