Bella Riva

Joseph SchiffmacherOp.87

RomanticObscurewaltzAndante3/4~3 min
H3
Henle (estimated)
RCM 4ABRSM 4

About this piece

Schiffmacher's Opus 87 is a representative example of 19th-century salon waltzes written for domestic consumption. It emphasizes charming melodies and idiomatic, accessible keyboard figurations.

Teacher notes

Achieving a fluid, dance-like pulse in 3/4 time is the essential goal for this piece.

Technical focus

waltz-rhythmpedalingcantabile

Mood

elegantnostalgic

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Bella Riva

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 Bella Riva (Op.87) by Joseph Schiffmacher?

Bella Riva (Op.87) 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 Bella Riva?

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 Bella Riva?

A typical performance of Bella Riva (Op.87) lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Bella Riva?

Bella Riva (Op.87) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Bella Riva?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Belle of the Ball by Leroy Anderson, Waltz in A minor by Frédéric Chopin, Amapola by Joseph M. Lacalle — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.