Brise de mer

E. ClérambaultOp.20

RomanticObscureromanceD-flat majorAndantino6/8~4 min
H4
Henle (estimated)
RCM 5ABRSM 5

About this piece

Clérambault's salon piece depicts the fluid motion of the sea through undulating accompanimental patterns. It is musically distinguished by its lush, late-Romantic harmonic language.

Teacher notes

The performer must master the seamless integration of arpeggiated textures with the primary melody.

Technical focus

arpeggioscantabilepedaling

Mood

atmosphericelegant

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Brise de mer

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

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Frequently asked questions

How hard is Brise de mer (Op.20) by E. Clérambault?

Brise de mer (Op.20) is rated Henle level 4 of 9 — intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 5–6. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 5.

What level do I need to play Brise de mer?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 4 — meaning you can already play level 3–4 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 mer?

A typical performance of Brise de mer (Op.20) lasts about 4 minutes.

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

Brise de mer (Op.20) 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 mer?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Brise de Mer by E. Clérambault, Brise lointaine by E. Clérambault, Berceuse from Dolly suite by Gabriel Fauré — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.