Berceuse

Aleksandr Ilyinsky

RomanticObscureberceuseG-flat majorAndante6/8~2 min
H3
Henle (estimated)
RCM 5ABRSM 4

About this piece

Ilyinsky’s Berceuse is a quintessential, miniatures-style character piece frequently found in early 20th-century pedagogical collections. It is noted for its sweet, simple harmonic language and soothing rhythmic swaying.

Teacher notes

Focus on achieving a seamless cantabile tone in the right hand while keeping the left-hand intervals soft and unobtrusive.

Technical focus

cantabilepedalingvoicingleft-hand-independence

Mood

contemplativeintimatetender

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Not in your repertoire

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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 Aleksandr Ilyinsky?

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 5.

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 2 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 Butterfly by Aleksandr Ilyinsky, Berceuse by Harry Farjeon, Bonne mère by Henri van Gael — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.