Au bal

Joseph O'KellyOp.51

RomanticObscurewaltzAllegro moderato3/4~5 min
H5
Henle (estimated)
RCM 6ABRSM 6

About this piece

Joseph O'Kelly’s waltz displays a sophisticated harmonic language typical of the Irish-French romantic school. It stands out for its graceful ornamental figures and elegant melodic contours.

Teacher notes

Precision in the execution of the ornamental turns is essential for the character of the piece.

Technical focus

waltz-rhythmrubatovoicingarpeggios

Mood

brilliantelegant

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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 5 pieces (Late intermediate) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Au bal (Op.51) by Joseph O'Kelly?

Au bal (Op.51) is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 6.

What level do I need to play Au bal?

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 Au bal?

A typical performance of Au bal (Op.51) lasts about 5 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Au bal?

Au bal (Op.51) 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 Berceuse by Joseph O'Kelly, 'S Wonderful by George Gershwin, Bella Bocca by Emile Waldteufel — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.