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Please use the links below to find the titles recommended in the ABRSM Cello Grade 8 from 2024.
Pre-requisite for entry for ABRSM Cello Grade 8 from 2024
Grade 5 (or above) in Music Theory, Practical Musicianship or a Practical Grades solo Jazz instrument. For alternatives, see www.abrsm.org/prerequisite
Grade 8 Pieces
THREE PIECES: one chosen by the candidate from each of the three Lists, A, B and C
Candidates must choose at least one accompanied piece.
Grade 8 Scales
Cello Scales Grade 6-8
Grade 8 Sight-reading
ABRSM ‘Cello Specimen Sight-Reading, Grades 6-8
Grade 8 Aural
Specimen Aural Tests, Grade 8
Aural Training in Practice, Grades 6-8
| Composer | Piece Details | Publication | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | J. C. F. Bach | Allegro (2nd movt from Sonata in A) | J. C. F. Bach: Sonata in A for Violoncello (Amadeus) |
| 2 | J. S. Bach | Prélude (from Suite No.1 in G, BWV 1007) SOLO | J. S. Bach: Six Suites for Violoncello Solo (Bärenreiter) or |
| (Peters) or | |||
| (Peters Urtext) | |||
| 3 | J. S. Bach | Adagio and Allegro (1st and 2nd movts from Sonata No. 2 in D, BWV 1028) | Pp. 7–8 from J. S. Bach: Three Gamba Sonatas, BWV 1027–1029 (Henle) |
| 4 | Boccherini | Rondo, trans. Bazelaire | Boccherini: Rondo (Leduc) |
| 5 | H. Eccles | Präludium and Courante (1st and 2nd movts from Sonata in G minor) | H. Eccles: Sonata in G minor (Schott) |
| 6 | Geminiani | Andante and Allegro (1st and 2nd movts from Sonata in C, Op. 5 No. 3) | Geminiani: Six Sonatas for Cello, Op. 5, Vol. 1 (UT Orpheus) or |
| (Peters) | |||
| 7 | M. G. Monn | Allegro (1st movt from Concerto in G minor), arr. Schoenberg | M. G. Monn: Concerto in G minor (Universal) |
| 8 | Telemann | Lento and Allegro (1st and 2nd movts from Sonata in D, TWV 41:D6) | Telemann: Sonata in D, TWV 41:D6 (Bärenreiter) or |
| Cello & Piano 1 (EMB Zeneműkiadó) | |||
| 9 | Vivaldi | Allemanda (2nd movt from Sonata in G minor, RV 42) | Vivaldi: Complete Sonatas for Violoncello (Bärenreiter) |
| 10 | Vivaldi | Allegro non molto (Andante) (1st movt from Concerto in C minor, RV 401) | Vivaldi: Concerto in C minor, RV 401 (Ricordi) |
| 11 | Berteau, formerly attrib G. B. Sammartini |
Allegro (1st movt from Sonata in G) | Berteau: Sonata in G (IMC) |
| 12 | Goltermann | Alla Pollacca (No. 4 from Quatre morceaux caractéristiques, Op. 48) | Principal Cello (ABRSM) |
| 13 | Vivaldi | Largo and Allegro poco (1st and 2nd movts from Sonata in A minor, RV 44) | Vivaldi: Complete Sonatas for Violoncello (Bärenreiter) |
| List B | |||
| 1 | Arensky | Chant triste (No. 3 from Quatre morceaux, Op. 56), arr. Pejtsik | Cello & Piano 2 (EMB Zeneműkiadó) |
| 2 | Bloch | Prayer (No.1 from From Jewish Life) | Bloch: Prayer for Cello (Carl Fischer) or |
| Bloch: Music for Cello and Piano (Carl Fischer) | |||
| 3 | Borowski | Adoration, arr. Wells | Principal Cello (ABRSM) |
| 4 | Bosanquet | Elégie in memoriam Joan Dickson | Bosanquet: Elégie for Cello (SJ Music) |
| 5 | Brahms | Allegretto quasi menuetto and Trio (2nd movt from Sonata in E minor, Op. 38) | Brahms: Sonata in E minor, Op. 38 (Wiener Urtext) or |
| (Peters) | |||
| 6 | Delius | Romance | Delius: Works for Cello and Piano, Vol. 31c (Boosey & Hawkes) |
| 7 | Fauré | Elégie, Op. 24 | Fauré: Elégie, Op. 24 (UMP) |
| 8 | Le Beau | Romanze, Op. 24 No.1 | Le Beau: Five Pieces for Violoncello, Op. 24 (Furore Verlag) |
| 9 | W. Lloyd Webber | Nocturne | W. Lloyd Webber: Nocturne (Stainer & Bell) |
| 10 | Rachmaninotf | Andante (3rd movt from Sonata in G minor, Op.19) | Rachmaninotf: Sonata in G minor, Op.19 (Boosey & Hawkes) |
| 11 | Granados | Madrigal in A minor | Granados: Madrigal in A minor (IMC) |
| 12 | Liebmann | Adagio ma non troppo (2nd movt from Sonata (1806), Op.11) | Liebmann: Sonata for Cello, Op.11 (Grancino) 🕮 |
| 13 | Aaron Minsky | October Waltz (No.10 from Ten American Cello Etudes) SOLO | Aaron Minsky: Ten American Cello Etudes (OUP) |
| List C | |||
| 1 | Beethoven | Scherzo (2nd movt from Sonata in A, Op. 69) | Beethoven: Sonatas for Piano and Violoncello (Henle) |
| 2 | Capuis | Presto (3rd movt from Vª Sonata) | Capuis: Vª Sonata (Furore Verlag) 🕮 |
| 3 | R. Clarke | Passacaglia on an Old English Tune | R. Clarke: Shorter Pieces for Cello (OUP) |
| 4 | Goens | Tarantelle, Op. 24 | Goens: Tarantelle, Op. 24 (EMB Zeneműkiadó) |
| 5 | Hubicki | Rigaudon | Principal Cello (ABRSM) |
| 6 | Kapustin | Elegy, Op. 96 | Kapustin: Elegy, Op. 96 (Schott) |
| 7 | Aaron Minsky | Broadway (No. 3 from Ten American Cello Etudes)- SOLO | Aaron Minsky: Ten American Cello Etudes (OUP) |
| 8 | Prokofiev | Montagues and Capulets (from Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64), arr. Rémy | Cellowise 2 (Clifton Edition) |
| 9 | Saint-Saëns | Allegro appassionato, Op. 43 | Saint-Saëns: Allegro appassionato, Op. 43 (Durand) or |
| (Schott) | |||
| 10 | Mark Summer | Julie-O, arr. Cheney SOLO | Solos for Young Cellists, Vol. 5 (Alfred) |
| 11 | Goens | Scherzo, Op.12 | Suzuki Cello School, Vol. 8 (Alfred) or |
| Goens: Scherzo, Op.12 (IMC) | |||
| Suzuki Cello School Volume 8 – Piano Accompaniment (Revised Edition) (Alfred) | |||
| 12 | Perkinson | Calvary Ostinato (3rd movt from Lamentations – Black/Folk Song Suite) SOLO | Perkinson: Lamentations – Black/Folk Song Suite (LKM) |
| 13 | Piazzolla | Libertango, arr. Thomas-Mifune | Piazzolla for Cello (Kunzelmann) |
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ABRSM Cello Grade 8 from 2024 additional resources & information
Theory of Music
ABRSM Theory of Music Exam Materials
Additional Theory of Music Resources
ABRSM Cello Grade 8 from 2024
Overlap
Bowed Strings candidates worldwide may play their three pieces from the 2020–2023 Bowed Strings Syllabus until 31 December 2024. All pieces must be from the same syllabus – candidates may not present a mixture from old and new syllabuses.
Amendments
The ABRSM will post updates to the syllabus e.g. changes to publication details or other minor corrections or clarifications at www.abrsm.org/syllabuscorrections.
Revision
The ABRSM has not scheduled the next revision of the Cello Syllabus. The ABRSM will post advance notice of planned changes to the Cello Syllabus (including syllabus overlap information) at www.abrsm.org/syllabusupdates.
Photocopies & downloads
Candidates should not perform from unauthorised photocopies (or other kinds of copies) or illegal downloads of copyright music in examinations. There are limited circumstances where can copies be used in an examination the UK. The MPA’s Code of Fair Practice gives further guidance. Before making a copy an application should be made to the copyright holder and evidence of permission should be brought to the exam. Candidates and Applicants must act within the law with regard to copyright.