AS 91422 Annotated exemplars

This annotated exemplar is intended for teacher use only. Annotated exemplars are extracts of student evidence, with commentary, that explain key parts of a standard. These help teachers make assessment judgements at the grade boundaries.

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TKI Music assessment resources (external link)

For Excellence, the student needs to perceptively analyse a substantial music work.

This involves evaluating how musical elements and features, and compositional and structural devices, are combined to communicate the style and musical meaning of the work.

This student has completed an essay on Beethoven’s 3rd Piano Concerto in C minor, 1st movement. The section included from the essay perceptively analyses the musical element of timbre (1) (2) (3), while also discussing aspects of the composition and the structural devices of the concerto form (4) and solo-tutti rivalry (5) (6).

The student also evaluates how timbre, concerto form and solo-tutti rivalry combine to communicate Beethoven’s compositional style and musical meaning of the concerto (7). Specific musical examples from the work are woven throughout this extract to further demonstrate perceptive analysis.

For a more secure Excellence, the student could fully evaluate how Beethoven has used the timbre of individual sections of the orchestra to communicate sonata/concerto form.

For Merit, the student needs to critically analyse a substantial music work.

This involves discussing how musical elements and features, and compositional and structural devices, contribute to the style and musical meaning of the work.

This student has completed an essay on Beethoven’s 3rd Piano Concerto in C minor, 1st movement. The section included from the essay critically analyses the musical element of form, in particular sonata form and the structure of this form (1) (2) (3) (4).

Compositional devices within this form are discussed (5) (6), as is the style of the work (7). Musical examples are included to demonstrate a degree of perceptive analysis.

To reach Excellence, and demonstrate sufficient perceptiveness in the analysis, the student could expand the final paragraph to include a more complete conclusion on Beethoven’s distinctive style within the confines of Classical sonata form.

For Merit, the student needs to critically analyse a substantial music work.

This involves discussing how musical elements and features, and compositional and structural devices, contribute to style and musical meaning of the work.

This student has completed an essay on Beethoven’s 3rd Piano Concerto in C minor, 1st movement. The section included from the essay generally provides critical analysis of the musical element of texture (1) (2) (3). Compositional devices are also discussed (4) (5) together with some aspects of Classical style (6).

For a more secure Merit, the student could further critically analyse the musical meaning of the contrasting textures used in this work, particularly between the piano and orchestra.

For Achieved, the student needs to analyse a substantial music work.

This involves explaining musical elements and features, compositional and structural devices in order to show understanding of the style and structure of the work.

This student has completed an essay on Beethoven’s 3rd Piano Concerto in C minor, 1st movement. The section included from the essay analyses the musical element of harmony/tonality (1) (2) (3), while also explaining aspects of the compositional and structural devices of concerto form (4).

Understanding of the style and structure of the work has been demonstrated, and some critical discussion of concerto form has taken place (5).

To reach Merit, the student could critically analyse the impact on the work of the exploration and instability of key/tonal centres during the development section.

For Achieved, the student needs to analyse a substantial music work.

This involves explaining musical elements and features, compositional and structural devices in order to show understanding of the style and structure of the work.

This student has completed an essay on Beethoven’s 3rd Piano Concerto in C minor, 1st movement. The section included from the essay analyses one aspect of the compositional structure of the concerto form, the cadenza (1). The virtuoso style is also discussed (2) (3), and it is explained where the cadenza fits within the structure of the work (4).

For a more secure Achieved, the student could explain how the cadenza fits within the structure of concerto solo-tutti rivalry.

For Achieved, the student needs to analyse a substantial music work.

This involves explaining musical elements and features, compositional and structural devices, in order to show understanding of the style and structure of the work.

This student has completed an essay on Beethoven’s 3rd Piano Concerto in C minor, 1st movement. The section included from the essay analyses the musical element of timbre, focussing on the piano (1). There is some explanation and understanding demonstrated on the structure of the work (2) and general analysis on the musical features of contrast and dramatic tension (3).

To reach Achieved, the student could explain in more detail how Beethoven explores the timbral possibilities of the piano, particularly during the cadenza.