A late 18th-century work that reflects the transition from galant style to early Classical structure. Its distinctive character lies in the juxtaposition of minor-mode pathos with virtuosic, clear-cut articulation patterns.
At Henle 4 this is an intermediate piece that expects secure technique and real attention to phrasing. The main demands: Alberti-bass accompaniment kept quiet and even under the melody; precise articulation — the difference between crisp and blurred is the piece; and fine finger independence within the hand.
Beyond that, expect fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo.
Students must master the crisp, even execution of the Alberti bass figures in the left 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.
Divertissement in A minor (Op.48) is rated Henle level 4 of 9 — intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 5–6. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 6.
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 Divertissement in A minor (Op.48) lasts about 5 minutes.
Divertissement in A minor (Op.48) 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 Divertissement in A minor, StWV 228 by Johann Franz Xaver Sterkel, 'Lina', StWV 69/3 by Johann Franz Xaver Sterkel, Blue Tango by Leroy Anderson — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.