A piece a will be preparing for my upcoming AMEB grade 8 exam, which I am dreading, I don't think an eternity for practice will ever make me feel safe to walk into that exam room.

Criticising myself, I would say the forte section was just a bit too much, I blame the little Kawai piano in this big open space.

But please, anything to get me a better exam mark will be helpful!

Brandon

I thought you played the Nocturne extremely well. One or two of the fast runs in the right could use a little more practice to be more secure and perhaps less brilliant(as in "here's the fast hard run").d

As hard as it may seem, I would try to take the exam more with the attitude..."Here are some masterpieces by some of the greatest composers I'd like to share with you."

What other pieces are you playing for the exam?

Thank you for your kindhearted approach pianoloverus, it's not often I receive a positive comment in regards to my performance.

You know, that is exactly what my teacher said. The fast runs should be less virtuosic. Also, I feel they need to be more even, especially the runs leading up to the climax.

I've been told to employ a rubato during the end of the diminished run at 3:15, however, it's difficult for me to slow down in the middle of a run like that...

My exam is on the 29th of November, I'll be playing;

Handel Fugue HWV 433
Mozart 13 Sonata K.333 - Movement 1
Chopin Op 72 No 1
Bartok Mikroskomos no 153.

I can make a video of them if you want.

Please do. Specifically K333. I can be very specific on that piece. I'm still on the road, but will give the Chopin a listen and try to comment today since you're exam is coming up.

My biggest advice would be: don't change anything you're not comfortable with changing, given the time frame. There was an entire thread based on this, but I wanted to reiterate. It would be worse to change something and be uncomfortable, than to change nothing and be comfortable.

More when I'm done with the afternoon meetings.

Maybe, but "uncomfortable" is not a black and white issue so I think one has to way the degree of uncomfortability vs. the potential for improvement.

Agreed. My only concern is whether being uncomfortable (to whatever degree) would cause a complete collapse when the added stress/anxiety/nerves/etc of performing in public are added. Suffice to say, your consideration is absolutely with merit.

That would have been one of my suggestions as well, but I think you are playing this Nocturne beautifully and that you will do just fine in your exam! As others have said, don't make any big changes this close to the exam.

Your rubato is very exaggerated. Your understanding of the piece is well. But you play the whole piece rubato try to play in strict tempo make rubato when It's necessary. Otherwise you sound stumbled. Also you use too much pedal. And you have to work on legato.

How did your exam go?

Brandon
I thought you played this great piece very well.
Your expression and pace were just right.
A pity the camera didn't do any zooming on
your playing.
I hope your exam went well.
Henry