Berceuse

Lawrence Townsend

RomanticObscureberceuseF majorAndante6/8~3 min
H3
Henle (estimated)
RCM 3ABRSM 3

About this piece

Lawrence Townsend was an American composer who wrote accessible parlor music for the developing amateur market. This piece provides a clear example of the accessible, pedagogical-focused salon literature of the era.

Teacher notes

Focus on achieving an even, steady rhythmic pulse in the accompaniment.

Technical focus

cantabilerubatopedaling

Mood

lyricalserene

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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 Lawrence Townsend?

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 3.

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 Au Matin by Benjamin Louis Paul Godard, Au Matin by Benjamin Godard, Au Matin by Benjamin Louis Paul Godard — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.