Amapola

Joseph M. Lacalle

ModernWell-knownwaltzF majorTempo di Valse3/4~4 min
H4
Henle (estimated)
RCM 6ABRSM 5

About this piece

Originally a song, this famous melody has become a staple of the light classical piano repertoire. Its enduring appeal lies in its infectious, sweeping melody and romantic character.

Teacher notes

Work on the seamless integration of the melody with the left-hand waltz accompaniment.

Technical focus

waltz-rhythmcantabilepedalingrubato

Mood

elegantnostalgic

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Your status

Not in your repertoire

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Amapola

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

Browse all Henle level 4 pieces (Intermediate) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Amapola by Joseph M. Lacalle?

Amapola 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 Amapola?

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 Amapola?

A typical performance of Amapola lasts about 4 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Amapola?

Amapola is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Amapola?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Waltz No. 2 by Dmitri Shostakovich, Waltz in C-sharp minor, No. 2 by Frédéric Chopin, Belle of the Ball by Leroy Anderson — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.