Written in memory of a worker killed during a protest, this sonata is a visceral modernist reaction to tragedy. Its distinctive use of jagged rhythms and intense, somber chords sets it apart from earlier piano literature.
The primary challenge is managing the emotional weight and dynamic extremes during the climax of the first movement.
Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.
1.X.1905 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 10.
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.
A typical performance of 1.X.1905 lasts about 6 minutes.
1.X.1905 is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.
Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Ballade No.1 by Frederic Chopin, Ballade No.4 by Frederic Chopin, 'Ch'io mi scordi di te?' by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.