Benjamin S. Beckman's 'Clockwork' is a modern, rhythmically complex piece that pushes the performer toward mechanical precision. The writing is highly idiomatic to the keyboard, utilizing sharp, rhythmic articulation throughout.
At Henle 5 this is a late-intermediate piece — technically substantial, with musical demands to match. The main demands: repeated-note passages that require controlled, springy fingerwork; fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo; and fine finger independence within the hand.
Beyond that, expect precise articulation — the difference between crisp and blurred is the piece.
The primary challenge is executing the rapid, repeating note patterns with perfect rhythmic stability and tonal evenness.
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.
Clockwork (Op.2) is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 7.
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 Clockwork (Op.2) lasts about 3 minutes.
Clockwork (Op.2) 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 'Clockwork' for Winds and Piano by Benjamin S. Beckman, Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Keyboard Sonata in D minor by Domenico Scarlatti — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.