Compositional Techniques and Performance Practice — AS & A Level Music (9483) questions by topic
This listening topic asks you to identify a tempo marking or movement title from a Baroque extract, or compare ornamentation and dynamics between two recorded performances, with marks ranging from 5 to as many as 16.
Identify, describe and compare are the top command words: compare specifically wants named differences between the two performances, not a description of just one. With 45 questions from 2023 to 2025 papers, this page's instant marking is built for spotting the errors examiners repeatedly report, such as naming a feature excluded by the question or omitting a letter when identifying which performance is meant.
What examiners look for
- A recurring criticism is naming letters, such as A or B, without stating what the comparison is (for example 'Performance is faster'), which examiners could not credit.
- Examiners note answers straying into features specifically excluded by the question, for example discussing dynamics when the question had already covered that in an earlier part.
- Reports flag frequent confusion of harmonic devices, with many candidates suggesting a sequence when a circle of fifths or a tonic pedal was the better answer.
- Strong answers made three accurate observations with bar numbers cited, and covered instrumentation, pitch, tempo, ornamentation and articulation to judge which performance likely used period instruments.
May–June 2025, Paper 11
Listen to this extract from Vivaldi's Concerto in G minor for recorder, strings and continuo, RV578 (Track 1). What is the tempo marking for the movement heard in this extract?
Answer this question and get it marked →Listen to Performance A on the recording provided (Track 2). Look at the score, which you will find in the separate insert, and read through the questions. What harmonic device is…
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to both Performances A and B on the recordings provided (Tracks 2 and 3). Comment on the articulation in the two performances.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 12
Listen to this extract from Bach's Orchestral Suite no. 1, BWV1066 (Track 1). Describe what happens to the texture and dynamics at the start of the second half of this movement.
Answer this question and get it marked →Listen to Performance A on the recording provided (Track 2). Look at the score, which you will find in the separate insert, and read through the questions. What harmonic device is…
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to both Performances A and B on the recordings provided (Tracks 2 and 3). Comment on the ornamentation in the two performances.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 13
Listen to this extract from Bach's Orchestra Suite no. 1, BWV1066 (Track 1). Give the time signature of this part of the movement.
Answer this question and get it marked →Listen to Performance A on the recording provided (Track 2). Look at the score, which you will find in the separate insert, and read through the questions. Briefly describe the…
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to both Performances A and B on the recordings provided (Tracks 2 and 3). Comment on ornamentation in the two performances.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 11
Listen to this extract from Handel's Water Music, Suite in F Major (Track 1). From which movement is this extract taken?
Answer this question and get it marked →Listen to Performance A on the recording provided (Track 2). Look at the score, which you will find in the separate insert, and read through the questions. Describe the texture of…
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to both Performances A and B on the recordings provided (Tracks 2 and 3). Comment on the use of ornamentation in each performance. Refer to bar numbers in your answer.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 12
Listen to this extract from Handel's Water Music Suite No. 1 in F (Track 1). What is the title of this movement?
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to the score provided. What chord is used at beat 3 of bar 5?
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to both Performances A and B on the recordings provided (Tracks 2 and 3). Comment on dynamic contrast in the two performances.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 13
Listen to this extract from Bach's Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041 (Track 1). Which movement of the concerto is this extract from?
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to the score provided. Describe the texture in bars 1–3.
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to both Performances A and B on the recordings provided (Tracks 2 and 3). Comment on the articulation in the two performances.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 11
Listen to this extract from Bach's Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041 (Track 1). What is the tempo marking for this movement?
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to the score provided. What type of descending scale is used at bar 3?
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to both Performances A and B on the recordings provided (Tracks 2 and 3). Comment on dynamics and overall sound in the two performances.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 12
Listen to this extract from Bach's Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041 (Track 1). What is the tempo marking for this movement?
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to the score provided. What type of descending scale is used at bar 3?
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to both Performances A and B on the recordings provided (Tracks 2 and 3). Comment on dynamics and overall sound in the two performances.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 13
Listen to this extract from Bach's Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041 (Track 1). What is the tempo marking for this movement?
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to the score provided. What type of descending scale is used at bar 3?
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to both Performances A and B on the recordings provided (Tracks 2 and 3). Comment on dynamics and overall sound in the two performances.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 11
Listen to this extract from Bach's Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041 (Track 1). What is the tempo marking for this movement?
Answer this question and get it marked →Listen to Performance A on the recording provided (Track 2). Look at the score, which you will find in the separate insert, and read through the questions. How is the music of…
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to both Performances A and B on the recordings provided (Tracks 2 and 3). Comment on dynamics in the two performances.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
Listen to this extract from Bach's Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041 (Track 1). From which movement is this extract taken?
Answer this question and get it marked →Listen to Performance A on the recording provided (Track 2). Look at the score, which you will find in the separate insert, and read through the questions. Precisely identify the…
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to both Performances A and B on the recordings provided (Tracks 2 and 3). Comment on the use of ornamentation in both performances.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 13
Listen to this extract from Handel's Water Music, Suite in F major, HWV 348 (Track 1). Which movement is this extract taken from?
Answer this question and get it marked →Listen to Performance A on the recording provided (Track 2). Look at the score, which you will find in the separate insert, and read through the questions. What is the…
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to both Performances A and B on the recordings provided (Tracks 2 and 3). Comment on the use of ornamentation and decoration in both performances.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 11
Listen to this extract from Handel's Water Music, Suite in F major (Track 1). What is the name of this movement?
Answer this question and get it marked →Listen to Performance A on the recording provided (Track 2). Look at the score which you will find in the separate insert, and read through the questions. Identify one harmonic…
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to both Performances A and B on the recordings provided (Tracks 2 and 3). Comment on the approach to articulation in each performance. Refer to specific examples of…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
Listen to this extract from Handel's Water Music, Suite in F major (Track 1). What is the name of this movement?
Answer this question and get it marked →Listen to Performance A on the recording provided (Track 2). Look at the score which you will find in the separate insert, and read through the questions. Identify one harmonic…
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to both Performances A and B on the recordings provided (Tracks 2 and 3). Comment on the approach to articulation in each performance. Refer to specific examples of…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 13
Listen to this extract from Handel's Water Music, Suite in F major (Track 1). What is the name of this movement?
Answer this question and get it marked →Listen to Performance A on the recording provided (Track 2). Look at the score which you will find in the separate insert, and read through the questions. Identify one harmonic…
Answer this question and get it marked →Refer to both Performances A and B on the recordings provided (Tracks 2 and 3). Comment on the approach to articulation in each performance. Refer to specific examples of…
Answer this question and get it marked →Other AS & A Level Music topics
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