LEVELS
Repertoire for the piano recorded in high quality audio is here divided into study levels, from the easiest to the most difficult.
HOW THE LEVELS ARE ORGANISED
The decision regarding the how to distribute the pieces throughout the different levels has been made on the basis of four fundamental principles:
1. The density of the writing
2. Performance tempo *
3. Its complexity in terms of interpretation
4. Its length
* The tempo of the ornaments constitutes an exception in relation to the performance tempos set below for each level. The tempo of the ornaments can be in fact faster than the one set for the specific course. The evaluation of the ornaments within the pieces and their inclusion in the different levels as been made considering that normally ornaments have a very brief duration or, as in the case of trills, they consist in very simple and regular combined movements, and also that, to the teacher or performer’s discretion, they can be omitted without relevant consequences on the performance.
Obviously these rules are not hard and fast and the pieces can be moved around.
Thus any suggestions from users of this site can also contribute to its reorganization.
The course has been divided into six levels, which do not necessarily correspond to effective years of study but rather the accomplishment of specific levels of repertoire.
1. Introductory Level
2. I Level
3. II Level
4. III Level
5. IV Level
6. V Level
Not having been able to establish an exact dividing line between the end of one level and the beginning of the next, some pieces straddle two levels, almost like a transition from one phase of study to the next.
It is also possible for the same piece to be played with different musical characteristics or at two different speeds which explains why they have been simultaneously located in more than one level.
Short elementary pieces, with lower density of notes
Maximum speed of the quadruplets ♩ = 60 (fastest note = 1/240 of a minute)
First tonal and modal pieces
Short and easy pieces, but with lower density of notes
Maximum speed of the quadruplets ♩ = 80 (fastest note = 1/320 of a minute)
Tonal and modal pieces with first forays into other musical idiom
Easy but longer pieces, with a higher density of notes
Maximum speed of the quadruplets ♩ = 100 (fastest note = 1/400 of a minute)
Tonal and modal pieces, forays into other musical idiom
More complex and longer works, with a higher density of notes
Maximum speed of the quadruplets ♩ = 120 (fastest note = 1/480 of a minute)
Pieces adopting a range of musical idiom with greater difficulty in interpretation
Introduction to the repertoire for piano
Maximum speed of the quadruplets ♩ = 140 (fastest note = 1/560 of a minute)
More complex works from the point of view of their expression and formality
The essential piano repertoire
Maximum speed of the quadruplets ♩ = 160 (fastest note = 1/640 of a minute)
All manner of musical idiom with different interpretative possibilities
Tullio Forlenza