Christmas

Arthur Somervell

RomanticObscureromanceG majorAndante3/4~2 min

About this piece

This is a simple, charming salon-style piece composed in the late Victorian era. It is distinguished by its sweet melodic character typical of amateur piano literature of the time.

What makes it challenging

At Henle 2 this is a beginner-level piece, where steady coordination between the hands is the main hurdle. The main demands: a true singing tone, with the melody floating above the accompaniment; careful pedaling — clarity depends on the foot as much as the fingers; and chord voicing — bringing out one note inside a handful of others.

Teacher notes

Focus on maintaining a smooth, singing tone in the right-hand melody.

Technical focus

cantabilepedalingvoicing

Mood

lyricaltender

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

What to play around Christmas

Similar to Christmas

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

Easier, same character

A level or two down with the same spirit — ideal if this piece is still out of reach.

The next step up

Where this piece's skills lead: slightly harder works making similar technical demands.

Browse all Henle level 2 pieces (Beginner) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Christmas by Arthur Somervell?

Christmas is rated Henle level 2 of 9 — beginner repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 2–3. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 2.

What level do I need to play Christmas?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 2 — meaning you can already play level 1–2 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 Christmas?

A typical performance of Christmas lasts about 2 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Christmas?

Christmas is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Christmas?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Albumblad, EG 109 by Edvard Grieg, Au matin by Paul Wachs, 'O marenariello by Salvatore Gambardella — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.