Ondine (Gaspard de la nuit)
Water as sound: a shimmering accompaniment pattern with a melody above it that barely grows louder. Counts among the hardest pieces in the repertoire.
The piece at a glance
- Composer
- Maurice Ravel
- Year
- 1908
- Origin
- From Gaspard de la nuit
- Key
- C♯ major
- Level
- Advanced
- Keys recommended
- 88
How difficult is it?
The accompaniment pattern asks one hand to stay quiet and even for minutes while the same hand brings out the melody.
The real hurdle
The melody lies in the same hand region as the accompaniment. Practising separately does not help here – it has to sound together from the start.
How long does it take?
Years. One of the pieces you work on for a lifetime.
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?
Only on an instrument with fine gradation in the quiet range. On digital keyboards without real dynamic steps the appeal is lost.
Instruments that suit it
Roland FP-E50 EU approx. €690–780Portable digital piano with PHA-4 Standard action.
Yamaha Clavinova CLP-845 EU approx. €2,200–2,600The Clavinova upper class: GrandTouch-S action with wooden keys – CFX plus Bösendorfer Imperial on board.
Kawai MP11SE EU approx. €2,200–2,350Stage piano with Grand Feel action.
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 Ondine (Gaspard de la nuit)?
The accompaniment pattern asks one hand to stay quiet and even for minutes while the same hand brings out the melody.
What key is Ondine (Gaspard de la nuit) in?
Ondine (Gaspard de la nuit) is in C♯ major.
How many keys do you need for Ondine (Gaspard de la nuit)?
88 keys are recommended.
Who composed Ondine (Gaspard de la nuit)?
Maurice Ravel, 1908.
Can you download the sheet music for Ondine (Gaspard de la nuit) 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 Ondine (Gaspard de la nuit)?
Years. One of the pieces you work on for a lifetime.
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