Ravel Sonatine 1st Movement Difficulty

[yumgoldfish]

What level would you consider the first movement of Ravel's Sonatine?

[pcaraganis]

Since no one is weighing in - I haven't played this piece as it's above my level, but Henle ranks the entire work at level 7 on their scale.

I've gathered that the third movement is the most difficult, but that the first movement is only slightly easier, so I would assume level 7 is pretty accurate as to the first movement.

[lelle]

"What level" is a difficult question to answer, because it depends on what you mean by level? According to a particular scale? Which one?

The Ravel sonatina is not easy but it is also not the most challenging virtuoso piece either.

[sammmue]

If you have training being able to play middle voices as an background and a strong pinky to play top line melody. I think you will be fine

[j_tour]

Yeah, I've stumbled my way through most of it at some point or another. 
 
I don't exactly know the official level, and I'm still always a bit confused about the Henle grading system.

But I do know it's more difficult than it looks!

Not the most helpful answer, but that's what I got.

[thenerdicpianist06]

What level would you consider the first movement of Ravel's Sonatine?

Hi, I played the sonatine myself and about the level of the first movement… Well it’s hard, but it certainly isn’t a virtuoso work. The voicing and the melody quality/sound quality in the beginning were the most challenging things for me. It’s a bit hard to find the true color for the beginning part. Other than this, when you pay attention to the tempi and dynamic remarks, then it will be easier for you!

[rachorascho]

I am currently learning the whole Sonatine and I would recommend you to righteously and slowly play through the beginning and try to "colour-separate" the voices as much as possible. Then try to get it in the tempo, but still with those contrasts, because for me this was the biggest challenge in this piece. If you are able to do this, I think it would not be overly difficult for you, because the rest of this movement is much more about colouring the voices.
Good luck!