An Epitaph

Maurice Besly

RomanticObscureromanceC minorLento4/4~3 min
H4
Henle (estimated)
RCM 6ABRSM 5

About this piece

Maurice Besly's 'An Epitaph' is a reflective, elegiac work that uses a somber harmonic language. It evokes a quiet, mournful atmosphere consistent with its title.

Teacher notes

Sustaining a long, mournful melodic line through careful phrase-shaping is the primary task.

Technical focus

cantabilepedalingvoicing

Mood

melancholiccontemplativeintimate

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to An Epitaph

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

Browse all Henle level 4 pieces (Intermediate) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is An Epitaph by Maurice Besly?

An Epitaph 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 An Epitaph?

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 An Epitaph?

A typical performance of An Epitaph lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for An Epitaph?

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

What pieces are similar to An Epitaph?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Autumn Shadows by Marius Blanc, Beautiful Thoughts by Joseph Kaspar Raff, Ballade No. 1 by Henning Mankell — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.