Ballade No. 1

Alexander EfimoffOp. 10

RomanticObscureballade
H6
Henle (estimated)

About this piece

This is an obscure Romantic work by a lesser-known composer of the late 19th century. It reflects the salon tradition of the era with a focus on melodic intimacy and structural simplicity.

Teacher notes

The primary challenge lies in balancing the singing melody against a delicate accompaniment while maintaining a consistent pulse.

Technical focus

cantabilerubatovoicingdramatic-contrast

Mood

lyricalmelancholic

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Ballade No. 1

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

Browse all Henle level 6 pieces (Advanced) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Ballade No. 1 (Op. 10) by Alexander Efimoff?

Ballade No. 1 (Op. 10) is rated Henle level 6 of 9 — advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 7–8.

What level do I need to play Ballade No. 1?

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.

Where can I get free sheet music for Ballade No. 1?

Ballade No. 1 (Op. 10) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Ballade No. 1?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Quejas, o la maja y el ruiseñor by Enrique Granados, Barcarolle by Anton Stepanovich Arensky, Berceuse by Dora Pejačević — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.