This is a variant or edition of the same work by Revueltas, capturing the bustling atmosphere of Mexican streets through percussive textures. The music is characterized by its vivid, programmatic nature and distinctly nationalistic harmonic color.
At Henle 4 this is an intermediate piece that expects secure technique and real attention to phrasing. The main demands: fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo; precise articulation — the difference between crisp and blurred is the piece; and a left hand with real melodic or rhythmic responsibility of its own.
Beyond that, expect sharp dynamic and character contrasts held together in one arc.
Mastering the quick rhythmic shifts and maintaining a bright, sharp tonal quality is essential for this piece.
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.
El afilador 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 El afilador lasts about 2 minutes.
El afilador 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 El afilador, R.13 by Silvestre Revueltas, Alexander's Ragtime Band by Irving Berlin, Die Parade der Zinnsoldaten by Léon Jessel — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.