This piece explores the constraints of the canon form within a modern tonal framework. Its distinctiveness lies in the rhythmic interplay created between the leading and following voices.
Consistent rhythmic precision is required to keep the canonic entries aligned throughout the piece.
Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.
Canon is rated Henle level 3 of 9 — late beginner repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 4–5. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 5.
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 Canon lasts about 3 minutes.
Canon 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 'Werde munter, mein Gemüte' by Johann Sebastian Bach, Capriccio cromatico by Tarquinio Merula, Canon in F minor by Frédéric Chopin — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.