Ave maris stella

Franz LisztS.506

RomanticSpecialistromanceD majorAndante4/4~5 min
H7
Henle (estimated)
RCM 9ABRSM 8

About this piece

Based on a Gregorian chant, this piece is one of Liszt's more austere and harmonically adventurous transcriptions. It creates a vast soundscape through simple melodic motifs and shifting tonal centers.

Teacher notes

The technical difficulty lies in voicing the chant melody clearly through thicker harmonic textures.

Technical focus

cantabilevoicingpedalinglarge-chords

Mood

mysteriouscontemplativeatmospheric

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Ave maris stella

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

Browse all Henle level 7 pieces (Late advanced) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Ave maris stella (S.506) by Franz Liszt?

Ave maris stella (S.506) is rated Henle level 7 of 9 — late advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grade 8 and above. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 9.

What level do I need to play Ave maris stella?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 7 — meaning you can already play level 6–7 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 Ave maris stella?

A typical performance of Ave maris stella (S.506) lasts about 5 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Ave maris stella?

Ave maris stella (S.506) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Ave maris stella?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Ave maris stella, Solo piano by Franz Liszt, Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude by Franz Liszt, Cantico del sol di Francesco d'Assisi by Franz Liszt — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.