A largely forgotten character piece from the 19th-century American parlor tradition. It utilizes rapid scalar motion to evoke a frantic, demonic atmosphere.
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 a left hand with real melodic or rhythmic responsibility of its own.
Beyond that, expect sharp dynamic and character contrasts held together in one arc.
Students must focus on evenness of the sixteenth notes to maintain the piece's forward momentum.
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.
Danse des demons (Op.78) 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 Danse des demons (Op.78) lasts about 4 minutes.
Danse des demons (Op.78) 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 Alhambra, Moorisch dance by Charles Kunkel, Fantaisie-Impromptu in C-sharp minor by Frédéric Chopin, Allegro barbaro, Sz.49 by Béla Bartók — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.