Johann Georg Albrechtsberger was Beethoven's teacher and a master of strict counterpoint. This double fugue showcases the rigorous, high-Classical approach to contrapuntal writing.
At Henle 6 this is an advanced piece that assumes fluent technique and rewards mature interpretation. The main demands: independent voices that must each sing on their own line; fine finger independence within the hand; and precise articulation — the difference between crisp and blurred is the piece.
Beyond that, expect chord voicing — bringing out one note inside a handful of others.
Ensure the subject and countersubject are phrased with consistent articulation throughout the development.
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.
Double Fugue in C minor is rated Henle level 6 of 9 — advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 7–8. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 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 Double Fugue in C minor lasts about 4 minutes.
Double Fugue in C minor 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 ...et qua diversa moventur by Marco Buongiorno Nardelli, Das Wohl Temperierte Klavier, vol I, Fugue 18 by Johann Sebastian Bach, Partita No. 2 in C minor by Johann Sebastian Bach — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.