Always Pleasant

Joseph Joachim RaffOp.16

RomanticKnownarabesqueromanceE-flat majorAllegretto3/4~3.5 min
H4
Henle (estimated)
RCM 7ABRSM 7

About this piece

Joseph Kaspar Raff's Op. 16 is a charming piece that exemplifies the graceful and melodic style of the Romantic era. Its title 'Always Pleasant' aptly describes its cheerful disposition and smoothly flowing melodic lines.

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Teacher notes

Maintain a light and graceful touch, with attention to the flowing sixteenth-note passages and clear melodic voicing.

Technical focus

cantabileflowing-sixteenthsvoicingpedalingarpeggios

Mood

elegantlyricalgentleserene

Your status

Not in your repertoire

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Always Pleasant (Op.16) by Joseph Joachim Raff?

Always Pleasant (Op.16) is rated Henle level 4 of 9 — intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 5–6. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 7.

What level do I need to play Always Pleasant?

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 Always Pleasant?

A typical performance of Always Pleasant (Op.16) lasts about 3.5 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Always Pleasant?

Always Pleasant (Op.16) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.