Barcarole

Robert WittmannOp.50

RomanticObscurebarcarolleF-sharp majorAndantino6/8~4 min
H4
Henle (estimated)
RCM 6ABRSM 5

About this piece

This is a characteristic salon piece from the late Romantic era following the traditional swaying rhythm of a Venetian boat song. Its distinctiveness lies in the melodic embellishments typical of the era's light classical style.

Teacher notes

Focus on achieving a smooth, rolling flow in the left hand to support a delicate, singing melody.

Technical focus

cantabilerubatopedalingleft-hand-independence

Mood

lyricalnostalgicgentle

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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 4 pieces (Intermediate) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Barcarole (Op.50) by Robert Wittmann?

Barcarole (Op.50) 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.50) lasts about 4 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Barcarole?

Barcarole (Op.50) 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 Bossa Nova by Serban Nichifor, Blumengruss by Carl Bohm, Barcarole by Erkki Melartin — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.