Descriptive Agitato by Boehnlein is an illustrative piece intended for cinema or silent film accompaniment. It relies on rapid changes in texture and dynamic intensity to convey narrative tension.
At Henle 4 this is an intermediate piece that expects secure technique and real attention to phrasing. The main demands: fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo; sharp dynamic and character contrasts held together in one arc; and sweeping arpeggio figures that must stay smooth across positions.
Focus on the execution of rapid arpeggiated figures while maintaining a driving, agitated tempo.
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.
Descriptive Agitato 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 Descriptive Agitato lasts about 4 minutes.
Descriptive Agitato 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 Solfegetto in C minor, H 220 by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Allegro in D minor by George Frideric Handel, Alerta!.. by Chiquinha Gonzaga — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.