Barcarolle

Mary BowdenOp.15

RomanticObscurebarcarolleB-flat majorAndante6/8~2 min
H3
Henle (estimated)
RCM 5ABRSM 4

About this piece

A largely obscure salon piece, this work by Mary Bowden represents the amateur domestic repertoire of the late 19th century. It is musically simple but effective in its use of traditional harmonic patterns.

Teacher notes

The challenge lies in keeping a steady rhythmic 'sway' that does not become mechanical.

Technical focus

cantabilepedalingvoicing

Mood

lyricalintimate

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Barcarolle

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

Browse all Henle level 3 pieces (Late beginner) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Barcarolle (Op.15) by Mary Bowden?

Barcarolle (Op.15) is rated Henle level 3 of 9 — late beginner repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 4–5. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 5.

What level do I need to play Barcarolle?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 3 — meaning you can already play level 2–3 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 Barcarolle?

A typical performance of Barcarolle (Op.15) lasts about 2 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Barcarolle?

Barcarolle (Op.15) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Barcarolle?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Albumblatt für Clara Schumann by Johannes Brahms, Bright Eyes by Florence Price, Albumblad, EG 109 by Edvard Grieg — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.