'Twas not those eyes of starry light

John Clarke-Whitfeld

ClassicalObscureromanceG majorAndante2/4~2 min
H2
Henle (estimated)
RCM 2ABRSM 2

About this piece

This is a brief, charming Classical-era character piece reflective of the light song-accompaniment style of the early 19th century. Its clarity and simple harmonic structure are hallmark features of the period.

Teacher notes

The student must maintain a steady Alberti-bass pattern while keeping the melody expressive.

Technical focus

cantabilealberti-bassarticulation

Mood

gentleelegant

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to 'Twas not those eyes of starry light

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

Browse all Henle level 2 pieces (Beginner) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is 'Twas not those eyes of starry light by John Clarke-Whitfeld?

'Twas not those eyes of starry light is rated Henle level 2 of 9 — beginner repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 2–3. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 2.

What level do I need to play 'Twas not those eyes of starry light?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 2 — meaning you can already play level 1–2 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 'Twas not those eyes of starry light?

A typical performance of 'Twas not those eyes of starry light lasts about 2 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for 'Twas not those eyes of starry light?

'Twas not those eyes of starry light is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to 'Twas not those eyes of starry light?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include 18 German Dances and Esoccaises by Franz Schubert, 18 German Dances and Esoccaises, by Franz Schubert, 18 German Dances and Ecossaises by Franz Schubert — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.