This waltz variation of the Distans cycle combines traditional dance forms with contemporary harmonic ambiguity. It creates a dreamlike, distant impression of a classic ballroom dance.
At Henle 3 this is a late-beginner piece — comfortable hands-together playing is assumed, and musical shaping starts to matter. The main demands: a waltz lilt that needs charm and a flexible left hand; rubato that must breathe naturally without losing the pulse; and a true singing tone, with the melody floating above the accompaniment.
Balance the rhythmic lilt of the waltz with a relaxed, non-mechanical rubato.
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.
Distans II (Valsa Distante) is rated Henle level 3 of 9 — late beginner repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 4–5. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 4.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 3 — meaning you can already play level 2–3 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 Distans II (Valsa Distante) lasts about 4 minutes.
Distans II (Valsa Distante) 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 Distans III by Fernando Mattos, Canoinha by Fernando Mattos, Distans II by Fernando Mattos — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.