Selected and reviewed by ANDREW EALES
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Following the launch of ABRSM’s 2023-24 syllabus, Edition Peters built on the success of their regular Grade 8 Piano Anthology series by issuing anthologies for Grades 5, 6, 7, and 8. At the time, I noted:
“Whatever one thinks of graded exams, there’s no denying that the ABRSM piano syllabus offers a stunning and helpfully progressive view of the rich and varied piano repertoire. And if their own publications open too small a window through which those wondrous joys might be discovered, the widescreen presentation Edition Peters offer with these anthologies must surely be welcomed with the broadest of smiles.”
With the advent of the 2025-26 ABRSM syllabus, which I have reviewed in depth here, Edition Peters (now under the roof of Faber Music) have returned with a new set of anthologies to supplement the latest syllabus.
It should be noted that there is a one-year overlap of syllabi, meaning that the older anthologies will (alongside ABRSM’s own piano exam piece books for 2023-24) remain valid until December 2025.
But what of the new anthologies? Here as always is my first in-depth look at them, including a detailed comparison between the ABRSM and Edition Peters books. For those on a budget, which is the better purchase, and why? Let’s find out…
One Syllabus, Two Perspectives
It is not my usual practice to write reviews which directly compare and contrast publications presented by rival publishing houses, and doing so can be fraught with difficulty. However, an exception must be made in this review, because Edition Peters are themselves attaching these anthologies to the ABRSM syllabus itself.
Having already reviewed that syllabus (alongside ABRSM’s accompanying publications), it will suffice to refer readers to that analysis for a broad overview of what is on offer. Readers should also consult the full syllabus piece listings on the ABRSM website here.
Having considered ABRSM’s growing repertoire lists, it’s clear that there are plenty of repertoire choices to go around, and the first piece of good news I can offer in this review is that each of the four Edition Peters Piano Anthologies offers but one piece in common with the ABRSM books. This makes them a truly superb resource for those wanting to dive into the many alternative choice pieces.
Once again, Edition Peters have also included three or four “own choice” pieces in each book. These are non-syllabus pieces which their consultants have suggested are suitable for the grade level, and which some may want to explore as unusual alternatives for inclusion in ABRSM’s Performance Grade exams.
The following tables show each grade in turn, with a comparative listing of the anthologies, so that you can get a good idea of the range offered by each option. Click on these images to enlarge them.
GRADE 5 ANTHOLOGY
GRADE 6 ANTHOLOGY
GRADE 7 ANTHOLOGY
GRADE 8 ANTHOLOGY
PRODUCT COMPARISON
Let’s now compare the publications themselves:
- The ABRSM book covers, printed on gloss card, are as vivid as ever. Edition Peters have retained their more traditional image, but with fresh contemporary fonts, colours and appealing matt finish.
- ABRSM’s scores are beautifully and consistently engraved, with board-approved editorial suggestions, expert fingering, detailed footnotes, and syllabus information all printed on a softer off-white shade of quality paper.
- Edition Peters have, disappointingly, abandoned the off-white paper they used for the 2023-24 Anthologies, and switched to the glaring bright white paper disliked by so many.
- The Edition Peters scores intersperse new editions and reprints from their legacy catalogue. Older scores are not freshly engraved, so the music font changes from one score to the next (which is particularly noticeable in the Grade 7 book).
- The Edition Peters Piano Anthologies include performance notes by Norman Beedie, Ateş Orga (Grades 5-7) and Nils Franke (Grade 8). Though sober in tone, these are a valuable addition.
- Edition Peters offer no recordings with their publications, but ABRSM have generously made superb recordings of the whole syllabus (including alternative choice pieces) available via all major music streaming platforms.
A Question of Editions
Each Edition Peters Piano Anthology includes the disclaimer,
ABRSM’s examination requirements provide that: ‘Candidates may use any edition of the music, except where a particular arrangement or transcription is specified. Editions quoted in the syllabus are given for guidance only and are not obligatory’.
This is a fair point, but given the quantity of music included in their anthologies, it is a reviewer’s duty to at least compare some of their editions with those directly recommended by ABRSM. Happily few discrepancies emerged, with the curious exception of Komitas Vardapet’s Shushiki, which both ABRSM and Edition Peters have included in their own brand new editions.
ABRSM note that their edition is based on the autograph manuscript, which is an authoritative source for sure. They tell us that the performance directions given in Armenian therein have been translated to English or Italian. These range from single word suggestions such as “tenderly” to more fully-fledged instructions such as “like the breeze, very gentle and getting softer”.
Edition Peters meanwhile give no source information, but these performance directions are missing from their edition, which is also squashed into two pages (as opposed to ABRSM’s more generous three pages). Nor do they tidy up the compound time quaver beaming, as ABRSM so helpfully do.
Whether these details matter is up to the individual performer or teacher to determine. Personally I feel that the instructions in the ABRSM edition are likely to inspire a more meaningful response from the performer.
Not only so, but with an easier-to-read paper shade, spacious presentation, and modernised note beaming, it seems to me that the ABRSM version delivers some obvious advantages.
Some Observations
Having considered the basic information of these publications, their content and approach, we return to the question of which exam book should be recommended the more highly.
ABRSM of course start with the upper hand here. Based on their own syllabus, with the benefit of a two-year development cycle, and the ability to cherry-pick the freshest and most exciting pieces on the list, their Grade 5-8 Piano Exam Piece books don’t disappoint. Though hardly inexpensive, they have a higher quality finish, with consistently superb editing and presentation throughout.
Edition Peters have however, in a shorter timeframe, produced superb alternatives. Their anthologies offer a larger selection of the pieces, and arguably a better cross-section of the more pedagogically worthwhile and musically enduring repertoire choices at each level.
For teachers who value consistent standards and values, the Edition Peters books will be the easy choice. Their Grade 6 book especially stands out for its musical quality and appeal, and regardless of exam requirements can be highly recommended for its breadth of good music at early advanced level.
Indeed, I would stress that the Edition Peters Piano Anthologies offer particularly good value for money. It is striking that their Grade 8 Anthology is literally three times the size as ABRSM’s, yet costs the exact same price.
The Edition Peters Piano Anthologies also benefit from the inclusion of useful performance notes (ABRSM charge for these separately!) and some intriguing “own choice” alternatives not always easily found elsewhere.
Subjectively, my personal favourites when exploring this bonus content include Hania Rani’s evocative At Dawn (Grade 5), Matthew Hindson’s tuneful Nostalgia (Grade 6), Dora Pejačevič’s gorgeous Lilies (Grade 7), and R. Nathaniel Dett’s joyous Juba (Dance) (Grade 7, but rather difficult).
Closing Thoughts
Edition Peters Piano Anthologies offer a nicely balanced and tastefully presented survey of some of the more interesting but lesser-played pieces on ABRSM’s Grade 5-8 syllabus for 2025. I am happy to confirm that those wanting to put together a full examination programme from these volumes will have little difficulty in finding a wealth of inspiring material here.
For those wanting to explore the widest range of music on the 2025-26 ABRSM Syllabus, the option of purchasing both ABRSM and Edition Peters is a highly attractive proposition. With little duplication, the Edition Peters Piano Anthologies are an absolute must for those keen to delve into the many brilliant pieces lurking on the alternative choice lists.
And it is surely a sign of how musically strong the ABRSM syllabus is that, in addition to their own excellent Piano Exam Pieces books, these bumper Edition Peters Piano Anthologies can provide so substantial an alternative.
As in previous years, then, the new Edition Peters Piano Anthologies can be welcomed with the broadest of smiles!
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