Arturo

Juan Alais

RomanticObscurecapriceD minorAllegro2/4~3 min
H4
Henle (estimated)
RCM 4ABRSM 4

About this piece

Juan Alais was a prominent figure in Argentine guitar and piano music, and this piece incorporates the character of South American folk dance into a formal European structure. It is distinct for its rhythmic vitality and shifting emotional colors.

Teacher notes

Coordination between the brisk left-hand rhythmic patterns and the right-hand melodic flourishes is the main technical task.

Technical focus

articulationleft-hand-independencearpeggios

Mood

dramaticelegant

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Arturo

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

Browse all Henle level 4 pieces (Intermediate) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Arturo by Juan Alais?

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

What level do I need to play Arturo?

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 Arturo?

A typical performance of Arturo lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Arturo?

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

What pieces are similar to Arturo?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Angelita by Juan Alais, Blue Tango by Leroy Anderson, Sarabande by George Frideric Handel — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.