Alibi

Gustav SchmidtOp.48

RomanticObscureetudeA minorAllegro moderato4/4~4 min
H4
Henle (estimated)
RCM 6ABRSM 6

About this piece

Schmidt’s Op. 48 is a technical study that focuses on developing dexterity through broken chord patterns and shifting hand positions. It serves as a bridge between late Romantic style and technical pedagogy.

Teacher notes

Focus on the coordination between the shifting left-hand patterns and the active right-hand passage work.

Technical focus

left-hand-independencearpeggiosdramatic-contrast

Mood

mysteriousdramatic

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Alibi

Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.

Browse all Henle level 4 pieces (Intermediate) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Alibi (Op.48) by Gustav Schmidt?

Alibi (Op.48) is rated Henle level 4 of 9 — intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 5–6. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 6.

What level do I need to play Alibi?

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.

How long is Alibi?

A typical performance of Alibi (Op.48) lasts about 4 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Alibi?

Alibi (Op.48) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Alibi?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Bal Masqué by Kees Schoonenbeek, Basso Ostinato, VL 267 by Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, 'Fantasia' voor mannenkoor by Jef Tinel — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.