The Dodecaphonic Quickstep by Tobias Fasshauer is an experimental work applying twelve-tone row techniques to the rhythmic framework of a quickstep dance. It is notable for the jarring contrast between its rigid atonal language and lighthearted dance meter.
At Henle 6 this is an advanced piece that assumes fluent technique and rewards mature interpretation. The main demands: big chords that need weight without harshness; sharp dynamic and character contrasts held together in one arc; and chord voicing — bringing out one note inside a handful of others.
Beyond that, expect polyrhythms that have to lock together without sounding mechanical.
The primary challenge is navigating complex, dissonant intervals while maintaining the driving, dance-like 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.
Dodecaphonic Quickstep is rated Henle level 6 of 9 — advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 7–8.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 6 — meaning you can already play level 5–6 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 Dodecaphonic Quickstep lasts about 3 minutes.
Dodecaphonic Quickstep 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, Partita No. 2 in C minor by Johann Sebastian Bach, Concerto and Fugue by Johann Sebastian Bach — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.