Ballade No.3

Frederic Chopin

RomanticIconicballadeA-flat majorAllegretto6/8~8 min
H8
Henle (estimated)
RCM 10ABRSM 8

About this piece

This entry refers to Chopin's Op. 47, a seminal work of the 19th-century repertoire. It is celebrated for its transformation of thematic material and virtuosic coda.

Teacher notes

Mastering the polyrhythms in the development section is essential for a convincing performance.

Technical focus

rubatocantabilearpeggiosvoicinglayered-texturepolyrhythm

Mood

lyricalelegantnarrativenostalgic

Listen & watch

Your status

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Ballade No.3

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 No.3 by Frederic Chopin?

Ballade No.3 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 No.3?

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 No.3?

A typical performance of Ballade No.3 lasts about 8 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Ballade No.3?

Ballade No.3 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.3?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Ballade No.4 by Frederic Chopin, Ballade No.1 by Frederic Chopin, Ballade No.3 by Frédéric Chopin — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.