"Si j'étais..."

Tigran PetrosovOp.8

RomanticObscureetudeE-flat majorAllegro3/4~5 min
H6
Henle (estimated)
RCM 8ABRSM 7

About this piece

Si j'étais... Op. 8 is a virtuosic work influenced by the late Romantic etude tradition. It is distinguished by its sweeping arpeggiated figures and emotional intensity typical of 19th-century salon music.

Teacher notes

The main technical hurdle is ensuring clean, even execution of the rapid arpeggio figures throughout.

Technical focus

arpeggioscantabilerubatospeed-agility

Mood

passionateelegant

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to "Si j'étais..."

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

Browse all Henle level 6 pieces (Advanced) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is "Si j'étais..." (Op.8) by Tigran Petrosov?

"Si j'étais..." (Op.8) is rated Henle level 6 of 9 — advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 7–8. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 8.

What level do I need to play "Si j'étais..."?

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.

How long is "Si j'étais..."?

A typical performance of "Si j'étais..." (Op.8) lasts about 5 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for "Si j'étais..."?

"Si j'étais..." (Op.8) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to "Si j'étais..."?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include 16 Waltzes by Johannes Brahms, Albumblatt in Walzerform by Franz Liszt, Ballade by Cécile Chaminade — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.