Butterfly

Walter NiemannOp.82

RomanticSpecialistromanceD-flat majorAndantino grazioso3/4~2 min
H3
Henle (estimated)
RCM 5ABRSM 4

About this piece

Walter Niemann was a German composer known for his refined, atmospheric piano miniatures. This piece is distinctive for its delicate harmonic shifts and lyrical, song-like quality.

Teacher notes

Develop a singing tone that prioritizes the melodic line while maintaining a supportive, soft accompaniment.

Technical focus

cantabilepedalingrubatovoicing

Mood

lyricaltendernostalgic

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Butterfly

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 Butterfly (Op.82) by Walter Niemann?

Butterfly (Op.82) 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 Butterfly?

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 Butterfly?

A typical performance of Butterfly (Op.82) lasts about 2 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Butterfly?

Butterfly (Op.82) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Butterfly?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Altenglischer Walzer by Walter Niemann, An der Quelle by Walter Niemann, Altenglischer Weihnachtstanz by Walter Niemann — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.