Since 2020, most students have opted to submit video recordings for their diploma piano exams. Students playing the same exam piece faced differing expectations regarding technical skill and musical expression across composers and styles.
A case in point: ARSM diploma examiners find Brahms Intermezzo in A major Op.118 No.2 frequently chosen by candidates. The crotchet=55 speed selected was too slow, judged as under tempo, plus the examiners sought improved finger sensitivity.
‘Despite the offered expressive space, this was played quite under tempo for an Andante and, together with the often lack of refinement in tonal control that induced frequent abrupt unevenness in melodic shaping, musical tension was compromised.’
By ARSM examiner:
“The Brahms’s dynamic arc was clearly drawn and the different sections in the intermezzo were often coloured with a variety timbres. However, the contrapuntal aspects of the piece were also left undefined in the texture that mostly favoured the top voice. Despite the offered expressive space, this was played quite under tempo for an Andante and, together with the often lack of refinement in tonal control that induced frequent abrupt unevenness in melodic shaping, musical tension was compromised. This had also led to some excessive grandiosity in more intense passages that was not quite what the teneramente asked for, although more sweetness was found in softer dynamics.“
It seems this candidate got heavily marked down due to their stylistic choices within the most intense passages.
However, a similar tempo choice by another student earned different feedback from DipLCM examiners; that student wasn’t penalized for being under tempo using the same marking. This tempo aligns with Evgeny Kissin’s performance, available on YouTube; she was praised for expressive dynamics, exploring passionate playing at the music’s climax.
By DipLCM examiner:
“You seemed at home with this and there was a generally good rapport evident with the style and character of the music. The chordal texture was most?y well balanced allowing the melodic interest to speak and there was some helpful shaping and sense of phrase and a tasteful rubato linked to rise and fall and tension and release. The middle section had some fluidity and care with inner voice material and the quiet chording was well measured. Overall, a musical and thoughtfuly played performance.”
It seems the LCME piano diploma exam values candidates’ personal expression, diverging from rigid romantic interpretations.
The LCME diploma piano exam, under the University of West London (a top 30 UK university), offers a widely recognised and well-established certificate, making it a popular choice for aspiring piano teachers in Singapore. Whatsapp Jenny if you are interested to have a trial lesson.
