Berceuse

Franz LisztS.174

RomanticWell-knownberceuseD-flat majorAndante6/8~6 min
H6
Henle (estimated)
RCM 10ABRSM 8

About this piece

Liszt’s Berceuse is a masterpiece of atmospheric color, using delicate arabesques and complex, layered textures. It is distinctive for its shimmering, virtuosic ornamental figures that surround a simple cantabile theme.

Teacher notes

The technical difficulty lies in achieving a 'velvet' touch while maintaining absolute independence between the complex right-hand embellishments and the slow, sustained melody.

Technical focus

cantabilerubatoornamentationvoicinglayered-texture

Mood

atmosphericlyricalserene

Listen & watch

Your status

Not in your repertoire

Sign in to track this piece

Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Berceuse

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

Browse all Henle level 6 pieces (Advanced) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Berceuse (S.174) by Franz Liszt?

Berceuse (S.174) is rated Henle level 6 of 9 — advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 7–8. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 10.

What level do I need to play Berceuse?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 6 — meaning you can already play level 5–6 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 (S.174) lasts about 6 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Berceuse?

Berceuse (S.174) 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 Ave Maria (Die Glocken von Rom) by Franz Liszt, Ave Maria (The Bells of Rome) by Franz Liszt, Un sospiro by Franz Liszt — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.