Rudolf Friml’s Drifting is a highly melodic work that captures the essence of salon music with its rich harmonies and flowing left-hand accompaniment. It is distinct for its balanced structure and highly sentimental, operatic melodic style.
At Henle 4 this is an intermediate piece that expects secure technique and real attention to phrasing. The main demands: a true singing tone, with the melody floating above the accompaniment; rubato that must breathe naturally without losing the pulse; and careful pedaling — clarity depends on the foot as much as the fingers.
Beyond that, expect chord voicing — bringing out one note inside a handful of others.
The primary technical challenge is achieving a beautiful, singing tone throughout the wide-reaching arpeggiated accompaniment.
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.
Lesser-known works by the same hand, at a comparable level.
Drifting (Op.67) is rated Henle level 4 of 9 — intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 5–6. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 6.
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.
A typical performance of Drifting (Op.67) lasts about 4 minutes.
Drifting (Op.67) 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 Berceuse by Rudolf Friml, Concert Waltz by Rudolf Friml, At Twilight by Rudolf Friml — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.