Serban Nichifor is a prolific modern composer whose works often blend neoclassical structures with contemporary harmonic colors. This waltz is marked by its romantic sensibilities and lush, melodic writing.
Master the delicate rubato required to balance the waltz-rhythm with melodic fluidity.
Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.
1 January 2024 Waltz is rated Henle level 4 of 9 — intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 5–6. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 6.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 4 — meaning you can already play level 3–4 pieces cleanly. Learning it one level early is possible as a stretch piece, but more than that usually leads to months of frustration.
A typical performance of 1 January 2024 Waltz lasts about 4 minutes.
1 January 2024 Waltz is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.
Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Bossa Nova by Serban Nichifor, American Air by Serban Nichifor, American Dreams No.1 by Serban Nichifor — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.