Barcarolle

Samuil MaykaparOp.18

RomanticSpecialistbarcarolleA majorAndante6/8~3 min
H3
Henle (estimated)
RCM 4ABRSM 4

About this piece

Samuil Maykapar was a prominent Russian pedagogue, and his Op. 18 Barcarolle is a staple of the intermediate repertoire. It is highly valued for its natural melodic phrasing and clear instructional goals.

Teacher notes

Students must focus on the independence of the left hand to provide a smooth, rhythmic pulse beneath the melody.

Technical focus

cantabileleft-hand-independencepedalingvoicing

Mood

tendermelancholicserene

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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.18) by Samuil Maykapar?

Barcarolle (Op.18) is rated Henle level 3 of 9 — late beginner repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 4–5. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 4.

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.18) lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Barcarolle?

Barcarolle (Op.18) 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 Gymnopédie No. 2 by Erik Satie, La fille aux cheveux de lin by Claude Debussy, Solace by Scott Joplin — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.