This short contrapuntal work by the Lithuanian composer Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis reflects his early formal training. It is distinctive for blending rigid Baroque-style imitation with the introspective harmonic language typical of his early period.
The primary challenge lies in maintaining clear, independent voice leading between the two hands throughout the polyphonic texture.
Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.
Canon in D minor, VL 118 is rated Henle level 3 of 9 — late beginner repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 4–5. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 4.
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 in D minor, VL 118 lasts about 2 minutes.
Canon in D minor, VL 118 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 Canon in A major, VL 116 by Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, Canon in C minor, VL 216 by Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, 'Werde munter, mein Gemüte' by Johann Sebastian Bach — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.