Désaffection is a modern prelude that explores dissonance and resolution in a compact form. Its distinct character comes from the interplay between disjointed articulation and chromatic harmonic progression.
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; precise articulation — the difference between crisp and blurred is the piece; and fine finger independence within the hand.
Focus on the left-hand independence to ensure that the articulation markings remain distinct from the right hand.
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.
Désaffection 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 Désaffection lasts about 3 minutes.
Désaffection 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 Boréal by Christian Bouchard, Christe dalla Messa Cunctipotens by Girolamo Cavazzoni, 12 Variations über die Folie d'Espagne, H.263 by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.