Au bal

Joseph DelafosseOp.90

RomanticObscurewaltzVivace3/4~4 min
H5
Henle (estimated)
RCM 6ABRSM 6

About this piece

This waltz by Joseph Delafosse is a lively, virtuoso-oriented piece intended for the concert salon. It uses technical flourishes to evoke the excitement and movement of a ballroom.

Teacher notes

The primary challenge is maintaining speed and clarity in the right-hand arpeggios.

Technical focus

waltz-rhythmspeed-agilityarpeggios

Mood

energeticbrilliant

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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.90) by Joseph Delafosse?

Au bal (Op.90) 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.90) lasts about 4 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Au bal?

Au bal (Op.90) 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 Bertolinette by Joseph Delafosse, Alexander's Ragtime Band by Irving Berlin, 'S Wonderful by George Gershwin — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.