Your bassoon grade 8 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. J. C. Bach Allegro spirituoso: 1st movt from Concerto in Eb (Billaudot GB4420 or Sikorski–Music Sales SIK 0257K)
    2. Dard Adagio and Allegro: 1st and 2nd movts from Sonata in D minor, Op. 2 No. 5 (European Music Archive EMA128)
    3. Fasch Largo and Allegro: 1st and 2nd movts from Sonata in C (Universal UE 18128)
    4. Michl Allegro: 1st movt from Concerto in F (Accolade ACC.1138k)
    5. Mozart Allegro (bassoon tacet in tuttis): 1st movt from Concerto in Bb, K. 191 (Bärenreiter BA 4868-90 or Henle HN 801 or Kevin Mayhew)
    6. Reicha Allegro: 1st movt from Sonata in Bb (Schott FAG 5)
    7. Spohr Adagio in F, Op. 115 (IMC 3144)
    8. Vanhal Allegro moderato or Rondo (Allegro): 1st or 3rd movt from Concerto in C (Simrock EE3243)
    9. Vivaldi Largo and Allegro: 2nd and 3rd movts from Concerto in F (RV 489) (IMC 2716)
    10. Weber Allegro ma non troppo: 1st movt from Concerto in F, Op. 75 (Universal UE 18131)

    LIST B

    1. Bozza Burlesque (Leduc AL 21790)
    2. Elgar Romance, Op. 62 (Novello NOV120137R)
    3. Françaix Vivace: 1st movt from Divertissement (Schott FAG 17)
    4. Grovlez Sicilienne et Allegro giocoso (Leduc AL 21163)
    5. Jacob Allegro: 1st movt from Concerto (Stainer & Bell 2625)
    6. Miroshnikov Scherzo (IMC 981)
    7. Nussio Arietta, Scherzetto, Lamento and Ostinato: Nos 1, 2, 4 and 5 (observing repeats) from Variations on an Arietta by Pergolesi (Universal UE 12182)
    8. Pierné Solo de concert, Op. 35 (Leduc AL 20914)
    9. Saint-Saëns Molto adagio–Allegro moderato: 3rd movt from Sonata in G, Op. 168 (Henle HN 966 or Peters EP 9195)
    10. Tansman Introduction et Allegro: 1st movt from Suite (Eschig)

    LIST C

    1. C. P. E. Bach Allegro: 2nd movt from Sonata in D minor, trans. Rechtman (Emerson E258)
    2. Derek Bourgeois Allegro moderato: No. 5 from Fantasy Pieces for Bassoon (Brass Wind)
    3. Hans Ludwig Hirsch Allegro or Con brio: No. 1 or No. 3 from 3 Monodien (Peters EP 8225)
    4. Jancourt Allegro moderato or Andante: No. 8 or No. 10 from 26 Melodic Studies, Op. 15 (IMC 1898)
    5. Milde Andante or Allegretto or Presto: No. 2 or No. 6 or No. 7 from Concert Studies, Op. 26, Vol. 1 (IMC 467). Also available in: Milde 50 Concert Studies, Op. 26 (Alfred–Kalmus K02132)
    6. Piard Scherzo: No. 1 from 16 Characteristic Studies (IMC 1208)
    7. Pivoňka Vivo, con brio and Allegro: Nos 13 and 15 from Rhythmical Etudes (Bärenreiter H3291)
    8. Weissenborn Study No. 29 or Study No. 33 or Study No. 35: from Bassoon Studies, Op. 8, Vol. 2 (EP 2277b)

    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 Bassoon 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 Bassoon Grades 6-8 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 6-8 Book (a guide with tests) and/or ABRSM Specimen Sight-Reading Tests Grade 8 Book (specimen tests).

     

    *Information correct at time of publishing 14.03.16


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