Brise de mai

Carl ChesneauOp.87

RomanticObscureromanceC majorAndante2/4~3 min
H3
Henle (estimated)
RCM 4ABRSM 3

About this piece

This character piece by Carl Chesneau is a quintessential example of mid-Romantic salon writing. It relies heavily on melodic sentimentality and balanced phrasing.

Teacher notes

The difficulty lies in balancing the singing melody against a delicate harmonic accompaniment without over-pedaling.

Technical focus

cantabilepedalingvoicingfinger-independence

Mood

lyricalgentle

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Brise de mai

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 Brise de mai (Op.87) by Carl Chesneau?

Brise de mai (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 Brise de mai?

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 Brise de mai?

A typical performance of Brise de mai (Op.87) lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Brise de mai?

Brise de mai (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 Brise de mai?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Blanche by Carl Chesneau, Bahoudia by Carl Chesneau, Believe Me, If All those Endearing Young Charms by Irish Folk Music — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.