This piece by Kostia Konstantinoff is an evocative modern work that experiments with dissonant clusters and surprising harmonic resolutions. Its distinctiveness lies in the juxtaposition of aggressive angular motifs with lyrical interludes.
At Henle 5 this is a late-intermediate piece — technically substantial, with musical demands to match. The main demands: sharp dynamic and character contrasts held together in one arc; fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo; and sweeping arpeggio figures that must stay smooth across positions.
Practice the sudden shifts between angular chordal passages and rapid, flowing arpeggios.
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.
Dissonance is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 7.
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 Dissonance lasts about 4 minutes.
Dissonance 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 Das Wohl Temperierte Klavier, vol I, Fugue 18 by Johann Sebastian Bach, Ciacona in D minor, P.41 by Johann Pachelbel, Concerto and Fugue by Johann Sebastian Bach — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.