Brassin's Polonaise is a flamboyant work in the tradition of Liszt and Chopin, demanding high levels of technical facility. It is recognized for its grandiose, processional character and virtuosic display.
At Henle 7 this is a late-advanced work — the technical demands are serious and sustained. The main demands: fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo; octave passages that demand a relaxed wrist to avoid tension; and a waltz lilt that needs charm and a flexible left hand.
Beyond that, expect precise articulation — the difference between crisp and blurred is the piece, and sharp dynamic and character contrasts held together in one arc.
At roughly 9 minutes, stamina and memory become part of the challenge — plan practice in sections.
The main challenge is maintaining a crisp, rhythmic articulation in the polonaise rhythm while managing the fast octave passages and large leaps.
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.
Deuxième Grand Polonaise (Op.18) is rated Henle level 7 of 9 — late advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grade 8 and above. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 10.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 7 — meaning you can already play level 6–7 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 Deuxième Grand Polonaise (Op.18) lasts about 9 minutes.
Deuxième Grand Polonaise (Op.18) 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 Deuxième Valse-Caprice de Concert by Louis Brassin, Italian Concerto in F major by Johann Sebastian Bach, Waltz in A-flat major by Frédéric Chopin — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.