A work by the Serbian composer Josip Slavenski reflecting Balkan folk influences through modern harmonic language. It features asymmetrical rhythms and percussive, idiomatic piano textures.
At Henle 6 this is an advanced piece that assumes fluent technique and rewards mature interpretation. The main demands: fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo; precise articulation — the difference between crisp and blurred is the piece; and big chords that need weight without harshness.
The primary challenge is maintaining precise rhythmic control through shifting accents and asymmetrical meters.
Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.
A level or two down with the same spirit — ideal if this piece is still out of reach.
Where this piece's skills lead: slightly harder works making similar technical demands.
Des Balkans is rated Henle level 6 of 9 — advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 7–8. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 8.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 6 — meaning you can already play level 5–6 pieces cleanly. Learning it one level early is possible as a stretch piece, but more than that usually leads to months of frustration.
A typical performance of Des Balkans lasts about 4 minutes.
Des Balkans is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.
Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Fantaisie-Impromptu in C-sharp minor by Frédéric Chopin, Allegro barbaro, Sz.49 by Béla Bartók, Choros nº 5 by Heitor Villa-Lobos — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.