Ballade in the Form of Variations

Felix BlumenfeldOp. 34

RomanticSpecialistballadetheme-and-variationsC minorAndante3/4~12 min
H8
Henle (estimated)
RCM 10ABRSM 8

About this piece

Blumenfeld’s Op. 34 is a sophisticated fusion of the Ballade form with rigorous theme and variations. It utilizes a vast technical vocabulary reminiscent of his mentor, Anton Rubinstein.

Teacher notes

The technical demand involves managing the transition between varied stylistic textures and the physical requirement of large chordal spans.

Technical focus

large-chordswide-spanrubatodramatic-contrastvoicingspeed-agility

Mood

dramaticpassionatenarrative

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Ballade in the Form of Variations

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

Browse all Henle level 8 pieces (Concert) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Ballade in the Form of Variations (Op. 34) by Felix Blumenfeld?

Ballade in the Form of Variations (Op. 34) is rated Henle level 8 of 9 — concert repertoire, roughly diploma level. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 10.

What level do I need to play Ballade in the Form of Variations?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 8 — meaning you can already play level 7–8 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 in the Form of Variations?

A typical performance of Ballade in the Form of Variations (Op. 34) lasts about 12 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Ballade in the Form of Variations?

Ballade in the Form of Variations (Op. 34) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Ballade in the Form of Variations?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Allegro de concert by Felix Blumenfeld, 'Sur mer' (Etude) by Felix Blumenfeld, Ballade No.4 by Frédéric Chopin — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.