Barcarole

Józef NowakowskiOp.42

RomanticObscurebarcarolleE-flat majorAndantino6/8~3 min
H4
Henle (estimated)
RCM 6ABRSM 5

About this piece

Józef Nowakowski, a contemporary of Chopin, writes in a style that highlights the light, fluid polish typical of the Polish Romantic school. This piece is defined by its clean, decorative ornamentation and graceful melodic contour.

Teacher notes

Execution of the decorative ornamentation requires a light, precise touch that does not disrupt the flow of the 6/8 meter.

Technical focus

cantabilepedalingornamentationvoicing

Mood

eleganttender

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

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

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Frequently asked questions

How hard is Barcarole (Op.42) by Józef Nowakowski?

Barcarole (Op.42) 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 Barcarole?

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 Barcarole?

A typical performance of Barcarole (Op.42) lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Barcarole?

Barcarole (Op.42) 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 Andante by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Andante favori by Ludwig van Beethoven, Black Beauty by Duke Ellington — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.