This is a contemporary character piece that relies on evocative textures to depict a pond scene. It is harmonically accessible and serves as an excellent study in tone color.
The challenge lies in managing sustained pedaling without blurring the harmonies.
Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.
By the Pond is rated Henle level 3 of 9 — late beginner repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 4–5. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 3.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 3 — meaning you can already play level 2–3 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 By the Pond lasts about 2 minutes.
By the Pond 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 Biting Frost by Michel Allard, Arrival of Spring by Michel Allard, 12 Little Preludes-Excursion by Michel Allard — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.