Ballad

Yury ShaporinOp.28

ModernObscureballadeModerato3/4~6 min
H6
Henle (estimated)
RCM 9ABRSM 7

About this piece

This is a duplicate entry for the Shaporin Ballad Op. 28, representing the same work as listed previously. It serves as a representative example of 20th-century Russian piano literature that favors expressive depth over virtuosic display.

Teacher notes

The primary technical hurdle is the subtle balance between the voice and the rich, accompanying harmonic texture.

Technical focus

rubatocantabileleft-hand-independencevoicing

Mood

nostalgiclyricalcontemplative

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Ballad

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

Browse all Henle level 6 pieces (Advanced) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Ballad (Op.28) by Yury Shaporin?

Ballad (Op.28) is rated Henle level 6 of 9 — advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 7–8. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 9.

What level do I need to play Ballad?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 6 — meaning you can already play level 5–6 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?

A typical performance of Ballad (Op.28) lasts about 6 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Ballad?

Ballad (Op.28) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Ballad?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Intermezzo in A major, No. 2 by Johannes Brahms, Bergidylle by Felix Draeseke, Ballad by Yuri Shaporin — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.