Allegretto (No. 1 from Three Fantastic Dances, Op. 5) by Dmitry Shostakovich is on the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) piano syllabus for Grade 7, as a List C piece for the 2025 and 2026 exams. Composed in 1922 when Shostakovich was just 16, it is one of his earliest works and an excellent example of his distinctive musical style, which blends classical form with a unique, sometimes quirky, and modern harmonic language. For a Grade 7 candidate, Allegretto poses several interpretive and technical challenges: Character and mood: The main challenge is capturing the ever-shifting character and temperament of the piece. Performers must be able to move convincingly between the gentle, lyrical melodies and the boisterous, punchy chords that give the music its "fantastic" quality. Articulation and rhythm: Precise and varied articulation is key to conveying the different sections of the piece. Students must master a range of touches, from staccato and legato to marcato, all while maintaining rhythmic accuracy. Hand coordination: The left and right hands often perform complementary roles, with the accompaniment needing to be balanced with the melody, even as the texture changes. The sudden dynamic shifts also require tight control of both hands. Phasing and phrasing: To bring out the quirky nature of the music, a pianist must have a strong sense of musical phrasing and an understanding of how to shape the various melodic lines and accompanying figures effectively.
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