Composer: Elisabetta de Gambarinibr Background: Born in England in 1731 to an Italian diplomat and a London-based singer, Gambarini was a multi-talented musician.br Career: She was a singer who performed in Handel's oratorios, a conductor, and a painter.br Key Achievement: In 1748, she became the first female composer in Britain to publish a collection of keyboard music.br Influences: Her compositions were highly regarded, and prominent figures like George Frideric Handel and Francesco Geminiani were subscribers to her first published works. br The piece: Giga in D, Op. 2 No. 14br Historical Context: The giga (or jig) is an Italian dance that was popular in the Baroque era. It is known for its fast tempo and compound meter, such as 68.br Technical challenges:br Baroque style: The piece requires a strong understanding of Baroque performance practice, including a lively tempo and appropriate ornamentation.br Ornaments: Examiners look for clearly executed ornaments, such as the trills in bars 12 and 14, played distinctly.br Articulation: While a detached style is an option, examiners often prefer a more stylized articulation, such as slurring the first two quavers in a group of three and detaching the third to create a "dance-like character".br Dynamics: The ABRSM edition of the piece leaves dynamics up to the performer's discretion, providing an opportunity for musical interpretation.br Lively tempo: Despite the discretionary dynamics, the performance is expected to have a "dance-like character," requiring a lively tempo to capture the composer's intentions. br Exam context: ABRSM Grade 6 (2023–2024)br Syllabus: "Giga in D" was featured in List A, which typically contains Baroque or Classical pieces.br Requirements: For the practical exam, candidates must choose one piece from List A, one from List B, and one from List C.br Edition: ABRSM released a specific publication of the Grade 6 exam pieces, which includes the Gambarini giga.