The new RSL Classical Piano syllabus aims to reflect the widening tastes of young people, positioning itself at the forefront of the vast array of music available to pianists, encompassing the rich heritage of music from the Baroque right through to the modern day and emerging composers.
The repertoire strikes a balance between a radical redesign and maintaining a recognisable structure, and sticks to four key principles: championing ethnically diverse composers, representing genders, acknowledging the history and tradition of piano learning, and enabling students to feel comfortable studying music in a popular and classical environment.
The syllabus books are all beautifully presented, and to the high standard for which RSL books have become renowned from their market-leading Rockschool examinations for contemporary music. Each contains 10 pieces from a diverse range of composers andinclude everything students need to take their exams, including technical exercises and supporting texts for sight-reading, ear tests and general musicianship questions.
Béla Bartók: Play (Allegretto)
Claude Debussy: Clair de Lune
Elvina Pearce: Sandcastle
Helen Madden: Andante Verde
Ludovico Einaudi: Una Mattina
Melanie Spanswick: Celebration Duet
Melanie Spanswick: Celebration Primo
Melanie Spanswick: Celebration Secondo
Pauline Hall: Martian’s March
Wallace Willis: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Yann Tiersen: La Valse D’Ame?lie
Zenobia Powell Perry: Vignette No.1