Ballade des sylphes

Paul BernardOp.94

RomanticObscureballadeE majorAllegretto3/4~4 min
H4
Henle (estimated)
RCM 6ABRSM 5

About this piece

This piece exemplifies the late 19th-century fascination with ethereal, light-textured music depicting mythological subjects. It is distinguished by quick, delicate passage-work that simulates the movement of 'sylphs'.

Teacher notes

Developing the light, crisp finger independence necessary for the fast, upper-register scales is essential.

Technical focus

speed-agilityarticulationfinger-independence

Mood

playfulelegantatmospheric

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Ballade des sylphes

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

Browse all Henle level 4 pieces (Intermediate) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Ballade des sylphes (Op.94) by Paul Bernard?

Ballade des sylphes (Op.94) 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 Ballade des sylphes?

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 Ballade des sylphes?

A typical performance of Ballade des sylphes (Op.94) lasts about 4 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Ballade des sylphes?

Ballade des sylphes (Op.94) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Ballade des sylphes?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Bataille de fleurs by Théodore Lack, The Entertainer by Scott Joplin, 12 Variations on "Ah vous dirais-je, Maman" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.