An obscure 20th-century etude that focuses on technical velocity and modern pianistic textures. It utilizes shifting registers and varied touch to challenge the performer's agility.
The performer must master quick shifts in hand position while maintaining a steady rhythmic pulse.
Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.
2. Etude moderne is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 8.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 5 — meaning you can already play level 4–5 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 2. Etude moderne lasts about 4 minutes.
2. Etude moderne 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 Alexander's Ragtime Band by Irving Berlin, 'S Wonderful by George Gershwin, Rondo capriccioso in E major by Felix Mendelssohn — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.