Belfagor

Ottorino Respighi

ModernKnownrhapsodyAllegro vivo3/4~8 min
H7
Henle (estimated)
RCM 10ABRSM 8

About this piece

Originally an orchestral work, the piano reduction of Respighi's Belfagor overture is a demanding virtuoso showpiece. It utilizes dense, late-romantic textures and requires significant technical stamina.

Teacher notes

The technical hurdle is managing the large, rapid octave passages while maintaining structural clarity.

Technical focus

speed-agilityoctave-runsdramatic-contrastlarge-chords

Mood

brilliantdramaticpowerful

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Belfagor

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

Browse all Henle level 7 pieces (Late advanced) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Belfagor by Ottorino Respighi?

Belfagor is rated Henle level 7 of 9 — late advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grade 8 and above. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 10.

What level do I need to play Belfagor?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 7 — meaning you can already play level 6–7 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 Belfagor?

A typical performance of Belfagor lasts about 8 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Belfagor?

Belfagor is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Belfagor?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Wanderer Fantasy in C major by Franz Schubert, Toccata in D minor by Sergei Prokofiev, Rhapsodie espagnole by Franz Liszt — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.