Au bal

Desiré MagnusOp.201

RomanticObscurewaltzTempo di Valse3/4~4 min
H4
Henle (estimated)
RCM 5ABRSM 5

About this piece

Desiré Magnus was a prolific composer of salon piano music, and this waltz exemplifies the light, social music of the 19th century. It is characterized by its infectious rhythmic lilt and standard dance form.

Teacher notes

Students must master the light, 'oom-pah-pah' feel of the left hand while maintaining melodic flexibility.

Technical focus

waltz-rhythmrubatoleft-hand-independence

Mood

elegantplayful

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Your status

Not in your repertoire

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Au bal

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

Browse all Henle level 4 pieces (Intermediate) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Au bal (Op.201) by Desiré Magnus?

Au bal (Op.201) is rated Henle level 4 of 9 — intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 5–6. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 5.

What level do I need to play Au bal?

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 Au bal?

A typical performance of Au bal (Op.201) lasts about 4 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Au bal?

Au bal (Op.201) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Au bal?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include The Entertainer by Scott Joplin, 12 Variations on "Ah vous dirais-je, Maman" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.