Barcarolle

Mykola LysenkoOp.15

RomanticObscurebarcarolleA minorAndante6/8~4 min
H5
Henle (estimated)
RCM 8ABRSM 7

About this piece

Lysenko, the father of Ukrainian classical music, infuses this Barcarolle with distinctive modal inflections and emotive Slavic themes. It is a deeper, more introspective take on the form than standard salon models.

Teacher notes

Mastering the subtle syncopations and rubato is essential to express the piece's underlying emotional gravity.

Technical focus

cantabilerubatoleft-hand-independence

Mood

melancholicnarrativecontemplative

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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 5 pieces (Late intermediate) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Barcarolle (Op.15) by Mykola Lysenko?

Barcarolle (Op.15) is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 8.

What level do I need to play Barcarolle?

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 Barcarolle?

A typical performance of Barcarolle (Op.15) lasts about 4 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 An Elegiac Impromptu Fantasia by Anthony Philip Heinrich, Gymnopédie No. 1 by Erik Satie, Gymnopédie No. 2 by Erik Satie — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.