Please use the links below to find the titles recommended in the ABRSM Descant Recorder Grade 4 from 2022 Syllabus:

Grade 4 Scales

ABRSM Scales and Arpeggios for Descant Recorder, Grades 1-5

Grade 4 Sight-Reading

ABRSM Specimen Sight-Reading tests, Grades 1-5

Grade 4 Aural

Specimen Aural Tests, Grades 4-5 (book only)
Specimen Aural Tests, Grades 4-5 (book and CD)
Aural Training in Practice, Grades 4-5 (book and CD)

Grade 4 Pieces

THREE PIECES: one chosen by the candidate from each of the three lists

LIST A

1 Aubert Le Moulinet I and Le Moulinet II, arr. Kostujak Baroque Recorder Anthology for Soprano Recorder, Vol. 2 (Schott)
2 Babell Boree, arr. Kostujak Baroque Recorder Anthology for Soprano Recorder, Vol. 2 (Schott)
3 Johann Fischer Gigue, arr. Kostujak Baroque Recorder Anthology for Soprano Recorder, Vol. 2 (Schott)
4 J. S. Bach Rondeau (from Suite No. 2, BWV 1067), arr. Robinson J. S. Bach: Suite No. 2: The Seven Dances of BWV 1067 for Descant Recorder (Peacock Press)
5 Geminiani Vivace (4th movt from Sonata in E minor) Geminiani: Sonata in E minor (Bärenreiter)
6 Kabalevsky Scherzo (from 30 Pieces for Children, Op. 27), arr. Bennetts & Bowman Time Pieces for Descant/Soprano Recorder, Vol. 2 (ABRSM)
7 Lichner Zu Hause, Op. 134 No. 6, arr. Bennetts & Bowman Time Pieces for Descant/Soprano Recorder, Vol. 2 (ABRSM)
8 John Loeillet Vivace (from Trio Sonata, Op. 2 No. 5), arr. Rosenberg First Repertoire Pieces for Recorder (Descant/Soprano) (Boosey & Hawkes)
9 Telemann Siciliana and Allegro (1st and 2nd movts from Partita No. 2 in G, TWV 41:G2) First Repertoire Pieces for Recorder (Descant/Soprano) (Boosey & Hawkes) or Telemann: Die kleine Kammermusik: 6 Partiten (Amadeus or Bärenreiter)
10 Pepusch Adagio and Allegro (1st and 2nd movts from Sonata in G) Pepusch: Sonata in G for Descant Recorder (Schott) or Concert Collection for Soprano Recorder (Schott)

LIST B

1 Kathryn Bennetts Waltz for Anna  Time Pieces for Descant/Soprano Recorder, Vol. 2 (ABRSM) [Solo]
2 Bonsor Waltz for Mo (No. 5 from Jazzy Recorder 2) Bonsor: Jazzy Recorder 2 (Universal)
3 Benjamin Burrows Pastorale (2nd movt from Suite for Descant Recorder) Benjamin Burrows: Suite for Descant Recorder (Schott)
4 Caix d’Hervelois Muzette, arr. Kostujak Baroque Recorder Anthology for Soprano Recorder, Vol. 2 (Schott)
5 Alan Davis Bees’ Knees A Journey from the Middle Ages to the Present Day (Bärenreiter Praha)
6 Tilmann Dehnhard Turquoise Turtle (from 16 Miniatures for Soprano Recorder) Tilmann Dehnhard: 16 Miniatures for Soprano Recorder (Universal)
7 van Eyck Doen Daphne d’over schoone Maeght (from Der Fluyten Lust-hof)Theme and Modo 2 van Eyck: Der Fluyten Lust-hof: The Beginners’ Collection (XYZ) [Solo]
8 Fauré Pavane, Op. 50, arr. Cowles World Famous Classics for Recorder (Fentone) Piano Acomp.
9 Stölzel & J. S. Bach Bist du bei mir, arr. Cowles World Famous Classics for Recorder(Fentone) Piano Acomp.
10 O’Finn A Lament, arr. Bowman  Irish Folk Tunes for Descant Recorder (Schott)

LIST C

1 Sally Adams Fred’s Frolic  No. 29 from 50 Graded Studies for Recorder (Faber)
2 Playford Lumps of Pudding  No. 32 from 50 Graded Studies for Recorder (Faber)
3 Hans-Günther Allers Rondino Kurioso (No. 3 from Petite Suite, Op. 74) Hans-Günther Allers: Petite Suite, Op. 74 (Dohr)
4 Douglas Coombes Night Song (from Music for a Cartoon) Douglas Coombes: Music for a Cartoon (Brass Wind)
5 Peter Hope Go to Berwick, Johnny (No. 1 from Geordie Tunes) Peter Hope: Geordie Tunes (Forsyth)
6 Joplin Maple Leaf Rag, arr. Davis A Journey from the Middle Ages to the Present Day (Bärenreiter Praha)
7 Sasha Johnson Manning The Pipe and Drum (No. 1 from A Birthday Garland) Sasha Johnson Manning: A Birthday Garland (Forsyth)
8 Russell-Smith Fred ‘n’ Ginger (No. 2 from Jazzy Recorder 1) Russell-Smith: Jazzy Recorder 1 (Universal)
9 Althea Talbot Howard The Walmer Beach Reel (from Vallum Mare: an Adventure Suite)  Althea Talbot-Howard: The Walmer Beach Reel for Descant Recorder (ABRSM) [Solo/Piano] Digital Only
10 Sarah Watts Coffee Bean Carnival!  First Repertoire for Descant Recorder (Faber) [Solo]

< Back to Recorder Exam Music
< Back to ABRSM Exams
< Back to Exam Essentials

ABRSM Descant Recorder Grade 4 2022 Additional Resources & information

Theory of Music

ABRSM Music Theory Exam Materials
Additional Music Theory Resources

Syllabus 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.

Syllabus revision

The ABRSM has not scheduled the next revision of the Woodwind Syllabus. The ABRSM will post advance notice of planned changes to the Woodwind 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.