Before You Choose Ombrelle Versicolore (ABRSM Grade 5 2027–2028): Honest Review

Here’s My Take on B2 - Ombrelle Versicolore ( Danielle Fournier )

Overall Verdict

One of the most artistically rewarding Grade 5 pieces, but also one of the easiest to underestimate.

Although there is no flashy virtuosity, the piece demands mature musicianship through:

• beautiful cantabile tone

• sophisticated voicing

• subtle pedal control

• long phrase shaping

• sensitive rubato

• colouristic imagination

The technical writing fits comfortably under the hands, but the expressive demands are closer to Grade 6 than a typical Grade 5 lyric piece.

Students who simply play the notes accurately will sound ordinary. Students who shape every phrase with colour and direction can produce one of the most memorable performances in the syllabus.

Student Suitability Profile

👤 Ideal Student Expressive storyteller with refined tonal control

📈 Learning Curve Moderate–Slow

🎹 Technical Demand Moderate

🎼 Musical Demand Exceptional

🏆 Distinction Potential Outstanding

⭐ Overall Recommendation

9.5/10 – One of the finest artistic choices in the Grade 5 syllabus. While technically accessible, it demands mature musicianship through sensitive voicing, beautiful tone, expressive phrasing and subtle pedal control.

A student who can paint musical colours and shape long lyrical lines will leave a lasting impression on both examiner and audience.

What Makes This Piece Difficult?

Unlike many Grade 5 works, difficulty comes almost entirely from musical sophistication.

The score contains:

• frequent phrase extensions

• subtle harmonic colour changes

• long slurs

• inner voices

• carefully graded dynamics

• expressive tempo modifications

• sustained pedal writing

Every one of these elements contributes to the musical narrative.

Main Technical Challenges

1. Melody Projection

The melody frequently sits above broken-chord accompaniment.

Students must consistently produce:

singing melody

while keeping the accompaniment transparent.

This is the single most important technical challenge.

2. Pedal Coordination

Pedal markings appear throughout the work.

Poor pedalling immediately causes:

❌ blurred harmonies

❌ muddy textures

❌ loss of colour

Pedal changes should follow harmonic changes rather than mechanical bar lines.

3. Smooth Position Changes

Although there are no large leaps, the hands frequently move between:

• broken chords

• inner voices

• lyrical lines

Every shift should feel effortless.

4. Hand Balance

Many phrases require:

RH melody

LH accompaniment

Inner harmonic notes

Students often play all three at the same volume.

Main Musical Challenges

1. Impressionistic Colour

The programme note describes:

• cherry blossoms

• gentle spring breeze

• colourful Japanese umbrella

The pianist should aim for:

✓ floating tone

✓ delicate resonance

✓ graceful movement

rather than Romantic heaviness.

2. Long Phrase Architecture

Almost every phrase spans several bars.

Students should always know:

• where the phrase begins

• where it grows

• where it relaxes

Playing bar-by-bar destroys the illusion.

3. Dynamic Layering

The score is full of:

• crescendi

• diminuendi

• terraced dynamics

• expressive echoes

These should feel completely natural.

4. Rubato

The piece includes:

• poco rit.

• rit.

• a tempo

These should feel like breathing—not stopping.

Most Common

❌ Melody buried inside accompaniment

❌ Excessive pedal

❌ Flat dynamics

❌ Ignoring phrase direction

❌ Overusing rubato

❌ Playing every repetition identically

❌ Heavy touch

❌ Losing harmonic clarity

Teaching Priorities

Priority 1

Voicing

Practise:

• melody alone

• accompaniment alone

• combine while preserving balance

Priority 2

Harmonic Listening

Encourage students to hear every harmonic change before playing it.

Priority 3

Pedal Planning

Mark pedal changes according to harmony.

Avoid “pedal by habit.”

Exam Safety

⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)

Technically secure.

Musically demanding.

Many students lose marks because they:

• play beautifully but generically

• neglect colour

• fail to project melody

• over-pedal

The piece rewards refinement more than accuracy.

One-Sentence Recommendation

A sophisticated and beautifully crafted Grade 5 work that offers exceptional distinction potential for students capable of producing refined tone, expressive phrasing and imaginative colour.

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