Grade 6 Piano Anthology: Intermediate Piano

This anthology pulls from ABRSM's carefully vetted repertoire across three lists, eliminating the guesswork of which intermediate pieces actually work for growing pianists. Norman Beedie's performance notes transform what could be a dry syllabus collection into a coaching tool, offering specific interpretive guidance that teachers can reference in lessons or students can study independently before an exam.

These pieces inhabit a satisfying middle ground where Classical poise meets emerging Romantic expression. You'll encounter elegant sonatinas that ask for clarity and control, character pieces with distinctive moods, and works that reward attention to voicing and pedal use without demanding virtuosity.

Students preparing for ABRSM Grade 6 examinations benefit immediately from having all required and supplementary repertoire in one volume. Teachers working with intermediate pianists also gain a trusted reference source that respects both the syllabus requirements and the need for genuine musical growth.

• Read through Beedie's notes for your chosen piece before diving into the score; they often signal interpretive choices that clarify the form and character from the outset.
• Pay attention to the dynamic and articulation markings in the own-choice pieces, which reflect the composers' intentions and demonstrate what examiners listen for at this level.
• Record yourself performing a few of these pieces to assess tempo consistency and musical shape; intermediate repertoire asks you to maintain longer musical phrases without rushing.
• Balance your practice between the required pieces and the own-choice selections if you're preparing for a Performance Exam, since each demands slightly different programming awareness.

Use the own-choice pieces to round out a recital that already features required exam repertoire, or pair them with contemporary works by composers like Iles and Okoye to create a mixed-era concert that shows programming range. Teachers preparing students for festival competitions will find the variety across all 18 pieces valuable for building a well-rounded performance portfolio.

• Reading and interpreting ABRSM-level repertoire across Classical, Romantic, and contemporary idioms
• Balancing technical clarity with musical expression in sonatina and character piece forms
• Understanding program architecture through the own-choice repertoire examples
• Applying pedal with intent in pieces that require textural and harmonic shaping
• Sustaining longer musical phrases while maintaining structural awareness