Pavane for a Dead Princess
A slow courtly dance that Ravel himself later found too tame. Exactly that restraint makes it one of the finest pieces for quiet evenings.
The piece at a glance
- Composer
- Maurice Ravel
- Year
- 1899
- Origin
- M. 19
- Key
- G major
- Level
- Intermediate
- Keys recommended
- 88
How difficult is it?
The notes are reachable, the chords are wide. The tempo is the difficulty: it has to stay slow without coming to a standstill.
The real hurdle
Ravel warned against too slow a tempo himself. Savour every chord and you lose the line.
How long does it take?
Six to ten weeks.
A rule of thumb, not a rule – how fast it goes depends on prior experience and practice time. This level is an assessment, not a measurement: most pieces exist in arrangements ranging from heavily simplified to concert level. The rating refers to the common arrangement.
Which instrument suits it?
Wide chords and a lot of decay. On instruments with limited polyphony the sound breaks off before the next chord arrives.
Instruments that suit it
Casio CDP-S360 EU approx. €450–500Portable digital piano with Scaled Hammer Action II action.
Yamaha CLP-825 EU approx. €1,350–1,650Cabinet digital piano with GrandTouch-S action.
Kawai MP7SE EU approx. €1,400–1,550The stage all-rounder with Kawai’s RHIII feel – favourite of many pianists with stage jobs.
The catalogue lists 233 instruments with verified data – key count, action and connections documented rather than claimed.
Where to find the sheet music
The work is in the public domain: the term of protection – 70 years after the composer’s death – has expired. Note that a modern engraving or a new arrangement can still be protected. What is free are the old editions, not automatically every version.
Free: the historical editions
IMSLP holds the old, public-domain editions as PDFs – free and legal. Engraving and fingering reflect their era; anyone wanting a modern, easily readable edition is often better served by a paid one.
Modern editions and arrangements
Simplified versions, modern engraving and arrangements are available from the usual sheet music retailers. We will add direct links here shortly.
Frequently asked questions
How difficult is Pavane for a Dead Princess?
The notes are reachable, the chords are wide. The tempo is the difficulty: it has to stay slow without coming to a standstill.
What key is Pavane for a Dead Princess in?
Pavane for a Dead Princess is in G major.
How many keys do you need for Pavane for a Dead Princess?
88 keys are recommended.
Who composed Pavane for a Dead Princess?
Maurice Ravel, 1899.
Can you download the sheet music for Pavane for a Dead Princess for free?
The work is in the public domain: the term of protection – 70 years after the composer’s death – has expired. Note that a modern engraving or a new arrangement can still be protected. What is free are the old editions, not automatically every version.
How long does it take to learn Pavane for a Dead Princess?
Six to ten weeks.
If this suits you
Clair de Lune Claude DebussyDebussy’s moonlight – sounds floating and light, yet is the most demanding piece on this list.
Gymnopédie No. 1 Erik SatieSatie’s study in slowness – technically one of the easiest concert pieces, musically anything but.
Arabesque No. 1 Claude DebussyDebussy’s friendliest piece – flowing, bright and considerably more approachable than Clair de Lune.