Barcarole

Theodor SachsenhauserOp.28

RomanticObscurebarcarolleD-flat majorModerato6/8~4 min
H5
Henle (estimated)
RCM 7ABRSM 6

About this piece

Sachsenhauser's contribution to the Barcarolle genre focuses on expressive, expansive melodic lines typical of German Romantic piano music. It is distinct for its use of colorful harmonic shifts that add depth to the recurring boat-song rhythm.

Teacher notes

Achieving an even, singing tone during the wide-spanned accompaniment patterns is essential for the piece's success.

Technical focus

cantabilerubatovoicingwide-span

Mood

lyricalnostalgic

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Barcarole

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

Browse all Henle level 5 pieces (Late intermediate) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Barcarole (Op.28) by Theodor Sachsenhauser?

Barcarole (Op.28) is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 7.

What level do I need to play Barcarole?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 5 — meaning you can already play level 4–5 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 Barcarole?

A typical performance of Barcarole (Op.28) lasts about 4 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Barcarole?

Barcarole (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 Barcarole?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Liebestraum No. 3 in A-flat major by Franz Liszt, 16 Waltzes by Johannes Brahms, Intermezzo in A major, No. 2 by Johannes Brahms — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.