Antonio de la Cruz was a minor Spanish composer whose work reflects the 19th-century obsession with Moorish themes in European music. It is a brooding, lyrical piece that relies heavily on atmospheric pedal work.
At Henle 4 this is an intermediate piece that expects secure technique and real attention to phrasing. The main demands: careful pedaling — clarity depends on the foot as much as the fingers; a true singing tone, with the melody floating above the accompaniment; and several simultaneous layers, each needing its own dynamic level.
Focus on the legato line in the right hand against a rhythmic accompaniment.
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 suspiro del moro (Op.23) is rated Henle level 4 of 9 — intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 5–6. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 5.
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 suspiro del moro (Op.23) lasts about 4 minutes.
El suspiro del moro (Op.23) 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 amanecer by Antonio de la Cruz, Ballata by Antonio de la Cruz, El juramento by Antonio de la Cruz — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.