Callum Au
Lethe
A contemporary Grade 5 solo with a reflective lyrical profile, asking for controlled colour and mature ensemble with the piano.
| Composer | Callum Au |
|---|---|
| Era | 21st century |
| Type | Original |
| Difficulty | intermediate |
| Available scorings | Piano |
| Duration | ~4 minutes |
| Clef | bass, treble |
| Piano part | Medium |
| Technical demands | lyrical control, ensemble with piano, dynamic shading |
| Good for | first recital, returning player, lyrical program |
| Publisher | ABRSM (2022) |
Named for the river of forgetfulness in Greek mythology, Callum Au’s Lethe offers a more inward kind of intermediate challenge. The player must sustain atmosphere through colour, pacing, and close listening to the piano rather than through overt display.
Commissioned for Brass Mix, Book 2 and listed at ABRSM Grade 5, it is a valuable first-recital choice for a player ready to move beyond short pedagogical character pieces. Its difficulty lies in refinement: an even sound, flexible dynamics, and an ensemble that breathes as one.