Listen to this episode for a thorough review of two must-have sets of graded anthologies: The Joy of Graded Piano by Andrew Eales, and Core Classics: Essential Repertoire For Piano by ABRSM. We also discuss the benefits of using graded anthologies- compilations of sheet music organised by difficulty level

Shownotes:

00:00 - Introduction and overview of the two graded piano anthology series being reviewed:

The Joy of Graded Piano edited by Andrew EalesCore Classics Essential Repertoire for Piano by ABRSMExplanation of graded anthologies, and the examination boards and grade levelsThe Joy of Graded Piano covers Grades 1-5ABRSM's Core Classics covers Grades 1-8

05:14 - Why use graded anthologies?

Relation to examination boards and grade levelsThe Joy of Graded Piano covers Grades 1-5ABRSM's Core Classics covers Grades 1-8

06:46 - Benefits of using graded anthologies in music education:

Appropriate levelling- pieces are not too easy or too difficult, promoting a sense of flow and engagementCharting progress- provides a clear sense of progress and tangible evidence of improvementNourishing mix of music- covers a range of periods and styles, offering a balanced variety of piecesQuality-focused editions- publishers creating graded anthologies for exam syllabuses strive for a high standard, as they understand the importance of these formal examsValue for money: graded anthologies provide good value by offering well-chosen repertoire that is not only level-appropriate but also chosen with care and expertise to maximize student learning, engagement and enjoymentBroadening musical horizons: graded anthologies can serve as samplers, exposing players to a diverse range of styles, composers, and musical eras, helping to expand their musical knowledge, refine their taste, and discover new interests

14:38 - The Joy of Graded Piano series by Andrew Eales:

Excellent for those less familiar with core repertoire: The Joy of Graded Piano is particularly valuable for students and learners who don't have extensive knowledge of the core piano repertoire, as it introduces them to a wide range of essential and iconic pieces(Explanation of ABRSM List A, B, C which I refer to throughout this review)Comparison with the original The Joy of... seriesWhat I love about these books

Criticisms/ concerns:

Personally not sure about fingerings and hand distributionsAlthough usually a big fan of representation of female and non-white composers, has this gone a bit too far into excessive tokenism in these books?Some political insensitivities/ lack of awareness in the representation of certain pieces?Excessive size of typesetting (beneficial for those with poor eyesight, but may not suit everyone's preferences)?

51:29 - ABRSM Core Classics books:

Design, quality, editing, proofreading (both sets of books excellent)Lack of consistency from book to book in terms of balance of piecesEach book contains pieces in increasing difficulty between two grade levels (e.g., Grades 1-2, Grades 2-3), which may not be ideal for students looking for a book specific to their current gradeWhat were ABRSM's intentions with these books? Who are they for? What is their function?Frustration over the lack of clear grade information for individual pieces on the cusp of 2 gradesScholarly and thorough approach to editingMonetisation of ABRSM's back catalogue

01:07:25 - Comparison between ABRSM and Andrew's piano books:

Editorial choices such as urtext vs more heavy editingArrangements vs a more purist approachInclusion of short biographical info as well as tips for learning vs no informationLonger pieces in both books that won't appear in books specifically for examsEach individual book containing pieces gradually increasing in difficulty vs individual books with pieces in random orde...