Ballad for the unsung heroes

Maurice Verheul

ModernObscureballade~4 min
H4
Henle (estimated)
RCM 6ABRSM 5

About this piece

This is a contemporary salon-style ballade written in a neo-Romantic musical language. It features a nostalgic, sweeping melodic line contrasted with a more rhythmic, pulsating accompaniment.

Teacher notes

The primary challenge is maintaining a seamless singing tone during the wide-spanning, melancholic melodic arches.

Technical focus

cantabilerubatopedalingdramatic-contrast

Mood

lyricalmelancholicnarrative

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Ballad for the unsung heroes

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Frequently asked questions

How hard is Ballad for the unsung heroes by Maurice Verheul?

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

What level do I need to play Ballad for the unsung heroes?

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 Ballad for the unsung heroes?

A typical performance of Ballad for the unsung heroes lasts about 4 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Ballad for the unsung heroes?

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

What pieces are similar to Ballad for the unsung heroes?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Ballade by Henri Rosellen, Ballade by Hugo Wehrle, 'Who Knows?' by Ernest Roland Ball — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.