An Elegy

Julian Raoul Besset

RomanticObscureromanceAndante doloroso4/4~5 min
H5
Henle (estimated)
RCM 7ABRSM 6

About this piece

This piece is a late-Romantic style elegy focusing on deep, resonant sonorities and a poignant harmonic vocabulary. Its distinctiveness lies in its thick, chordal writing that demands a nuanced sense of touch.

Teacher notes

The technical difficulty lies in executing large, sonorous chords with delicate balance to avoid percussiveness.

Technical focus

cantabilerubatopedalingvoicinglarge-chords

Mood

melancholictendernostalgic

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

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Frequently asked questions

How hard is An Elegy by Julian Raoul Besset?

An Elegy is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 7.

What level do I need to play An Elegy?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 5 — meaning you can already play level 4–5 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 An Elegy?

A typical performance of An Elegy lasts about 5 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for An Elegy?

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

What pieces are similar to An Elegy?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Berceuse Alanguie by Julian Raoul Besset, Pavane pour une infante défunte by Maurice Ravel, Quejas, o la maja y el ruiseñor by Enrique Granados — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.