'Sur mer' (Etude)

Felix BlumenfeldOp. 14

RomanticSpecialistetudeG-flat majorAllegretto6/8~4 min
H7
Henle (estimated)
RCM 9ABRSM 8

About this piece

Sur mer is a virtuosic yet delicate etude that mimics the undulating motion of the sea. It is a prime example of late-Romantic Russian piano writing, requiring refined control of texture and color.

Teacher notes

The primary challenge is maintaining the constant undulating 16th-note figuration while highlighting the hidden melodic contours.

Technical focus

flowing-sixteenthsrubatoleft-hand-independencearpeggios

Mood

atmosphericnostalgiclyrical

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to 'Sur mer' (Etude)

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Browse all Henle level 7 pieces (Late advanced) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is 'Sur mer' (Etude) (Op. 14) by Felix Blumenfeld?

'Sur mer' (Etude) (Op. 14) is rated Henle level 7 of 9 — late advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grade 8 and above. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 9.

What level do I need to play 'Sur mer' (Etude)?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 7 — meaning you can already play level 6–7 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 'Sur mer' (Etude)?

A typical performance of 'Sur mer' (Etude) (Op. 14) lasts about 4 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for 'Sur mer' (Etude)?

'Sur mer' (Etude) (Op. 14) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to 'Sur mer' (Etude)?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Ballade in the Form of Variations by Felix Blumenfeld, Allegro de concert by Felix Blumenfeld, Barcarole by Joseph Marx — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.