Berceuse

Hippolyte Barbedette

RomanticObscureberceuseG majorAndantino6/8~3 min
H3
Henle (estimated)
RCM 4ABRSM 4

About this piece

This is a minor Romantic-era lullaby by the French composer and music critic Hippolyte Barbedette. It is musically distinctive for its adherence to the salon style, emphasizing a tender, rocking melodic line over a simple accompaniment.

Teacher notes

The primary challenge is maintaining a consistent, gentle rocking motion without rushing the 6/8 rhythm.

Technical focus

cantabilepedalingrubato

Mood

lyricalgentle

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Berceuse

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 Berceuse by Hippolyte Barbedette?

Berceuse 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 Berceuse?

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 Berceuse?

A typical performance of Berceuse lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Berceuse?

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

What pieces are similar to Berceuse?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Berceuse by Hippolyte Barbedette, Believe Me, If All those Endearing Young Charms by Irish Folk Music, "s'kommt ein Vogel geflogen" by Siegfried Ochs — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.