12 Etudes in All the Major Keys

Charles-Valentin AlkanOp.35

RomanticSpecialistetude~50 min
H8
Henle (estimated)
RCM 9ABRSM 8

About this piece

Alkan's 'Etudes in All the Major Keys' are monumental works that explore a vast range of technical and musical challenges. They are known for their immense difficulty and intellectual rigor.

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Teacher notes

These etudes present extreme technical challenges, often requiring colossal strength and stamina.

Technical focus

finger-independencespeed-agilityarpeggioslarge-chords

Mood

dramaticpowerfulintellectualenergetic

Your status

Not in your repertoire

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Frequently asked questions

How hard is 12 Etudes in All the Major Keys (Op.35) by Charles-Valentin Alkan?

12 Etudes in All the Major Keys (Op.35) is rated Henle level 8 of 9 — concert repertoire, roughly diploma level. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 9.

What level do I need to play 12 Etudes in All the Major Keys?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 8 — meaning you can already play level 7–8 pieces cleanly. Learning it one level early is possible as a stretch piece, but more than that usually leads to months of frustration.

How long is 12 Etudes in All the Major Keys?

A typical performance of 12 Etudes in All the Major Keys (Op.35) lasts about 50 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for 12 Etudes in All the Major Keys?

12 Etudes in All the Major Keys (Op.35) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.