Part of a set of character pieces that explore lighter dance textures within the romantic piano tradition. It features melodic interest in both hands and varied articulation patterns.
At Henle 4 this is an intermediate piece that expects secure technique and real attention to phrasing. The main demands: a left hand with real melodic or rhythmic responsibility of its own; sweeping arpeggio figures that must stay smooth across positions; and precise articulation — the difference between crisp and blurred is the piece.
Beyond that, expect chord voicing — bringing out one note inside a handful of others.
Maintain clarity in the rapid, alternating-hand melodic lines.
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.
Cuban Dance (Op.86) is rated Henle level 4 of 9 — intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 5–6. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 5.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 4 — meaning you can already play level 3–4 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 Cuban Dance (Op.86) lasts about 4 minutes.
Cuban Dance (Op.86) 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 Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 12 Variations on "Ah vous dirais-je, Maman" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.