Circle IX serves as a vibrant, virtuosic conclusion to the cycle. It features sharp contrasts in dynamics and character, showcasing the composer's ability to manipulate small motives into a larger, coherent structure.
At Henle 5 this is a late-intermediate piece — technically substantial, with musical demands to match. The main demands: fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo; precise articulation — the difference between crisp and blurred is the piece; and sharp dynamic and character contrasts held together in one arc.
The piece requires great agility and precision in articulation to effectively highlight the dramatic shifts in intensity.
Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.
A level or two down with the same spirit — ideal if this piece is still out of reach.
Where this piece's skills lead: slightly harder works making similar technical demands.
Lesser-known works by the same hand, at a comparable level.
Circle V is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 6.
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 Circle V lasts about 3 minutes.
Circle V 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 Circle III by Kees Schoonenbeek, Bal Masqué by Kees Schoonenbeek, Circle VIII by Kees Schoonenbeek — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.