Sarabande

George Frideric HandelHWV 437

BaroqueWell-knownsuiteG minorSarabande3/4~4 min
H5
Henle (estimated)
RCM 7ABRSM 6

About this piece

Famous for its use in the film 'Barry Lyndon', this sarabande is a profound example of Baroque dance form. Its gravity and noble melancholy are expressed through harmonic depth and stately, rhythmic emphasis.

Teacher notes

Executing the ornamentation fluidly within the heavy, chordal texture is the primary technical challenge.

Technical focus

ornamentationcantabilevoicinglarge-chords

Mood

melancholicdramaticelegant

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Sarabande

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

Browse all Henle level 5 pieces (Late intermediate) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Sarabande (HWV 437) by George Frideric Handel?

Sarabande (HWV 437) is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 7.

What level do I need to play Sarabande?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 5 — meaning you can already play level 4–5 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 Sarabande?

A typical performance of Sarabande (HWV 437) lasts about 4 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Sarabande?

Sarabande (HWV 437) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Sarabande?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Passacaglia by George Frideric Handel, Allegro in D minor by George Frideric Handel, Body and Soul by Johnny Green — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.