Symphonic and Operatic Conducting
Professionally oriented entrance tests :
• Solfeggio (written and oral test)
• Harmony (written and oral test)
• Performance (conducting a symphonic work arranged for 2 pianos)
Solfeggio
1. The candidate is required to complete:
а) a single voice dictation with chromatic elements and melodic alterations; the dictation may be played up to 6 times;
b) a two voice dictation of harmonic nature with melodic base; the dictation may be played up to 8 times.
2. The candidate is required to determine:
а) the key of a chord in relation to a given pitch not used in the chord;
b) melodic intervals both simple and compound (over several octaves), one tone followed by another, as a «chain of intervals»;
c) harmonic intervals (simple and compound);
d) chords, both simple and having over 4 voices, stating inversion and function within the key: triads and 7th chords with alterations, altered chords of the subdominant and dominant group (irregular presentation possible) , also name the pitches in contains (vertically).
e) enharmonicism of: a diminished 7th chord, a dominant 7th chord, a whole tone symmetric structure chord (the augmented triad) with inversion;
f) a 4 voice harmonic sequence with periodic structure, including functional, enharmonic and melodic-harmonic alterations; harmony in an excerpt of music; keys and chords are to be named, then excerpt to be performed on piano.
3. To be sung:
а) a “chain” of tones composed of melodic intervals and broken chords both ascending and descending ;
b) a short melodic excerpt from 20th century literature, memorizing it after being repeated 2 times (the excerpt may include scale-step (degree) variation;
c) sight reading : a one voice melody. Approximate difficulty of those found in N. Kachalina, Solfeggio. Edition 1. NN 52-134.
2. Harmony
1. A melody (12-16 bars) to be harmonized. The melody may include melodic figurations and modulations of keys having 1st or 2nd degree of relationship. Time allotted: 180 minutes.
2. Play on the piano (in 4 voices): chords treated by intermediate or secondary harmony courses; functional modulations to the keys of 1st or 2nd degrees of relationship ( 8 bars structure), enharmonic modulations (4 bars structure), tonal and modulating sequences.
3. Analyze a small - form piece or a structurally finished part of a large- form piece. Approximate difficulty: L.van Beethoven, piano sonata N 8, introduction, P. Tchaikovski, «We were sitting together with you…» («My sideli s toboiu vdvoiom…»), S.Prokofiev, Gavotte from the Classical Symphony.
Theoretical questions from secondary/ intermediate harmony course will be asked.
3. Conducting
The candidate is required to conduct a movement of a symphonic work (arranged for two pianos)
List of recommended compositions:
L.van Beethoven: Symphonies NN 1, 2, 5, 7 (one movement), «Coriolan», «Egmont» overtures.
A.Borodin: Symphony N 2 (one movement), overture and «Polovitchian dances» from «Prince Igor»
J.Brahms: Symphonies NN 1, 4 (one movement)
R.Wagner: Overture to «Rienzi»
C.M.von Weber: Overtures to «Oberon», «Euryanthe», «Freischütz» .
J.Haydn: any symphony
A.Glazunov: Symphonies NN 1, 5, 6 (one movement) ; Ceremonial overture.
V.Kalinnikov: Symphony N 1 (one movement)
F.Liszt: Symphonic poems «Les Preludes», «Tasso»
F.Mendelssohn: Symphonies NN 3, 4 (one movement),overtures «Hebrides», «Ruy Blas».
W.A. Mozart: any symphony
M.Mussorgski: Overture to «Khovanschina» ( «Sunrise on the River Mosow»)
S.Prokofiev: Symphony N 7 (one movement)
N. Rimski-Korsakov: «Capriccio Espagnol»
A. Khatchatourian: Ballet suites from «Spartacus», «Gayane»
P. Tchaikovsky: Symphonies NN 1, 2, 5 (one movement), Serenade for String Orchestra.
F. Schubert: Symphonies NN 4, 5, 8 (one movement)
