This virtuosic work is part of MacDowell's set of concert etudes demonstrating his synthesis of Lisztian bravura and American Romanticism. It is characterized by its sweeping gestures and demanding technical passages that require significant projection.
At Henle 7 this is a late-advanced work — the technical demands are serious and sustained. The main demands: fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo; sweeping arpeggio figures that must stay smooth across positions; and big chords that need weight without harshness.
Beyond that, expect rubato that must breathe naturally without losing the pulse, and a true singing tone, with the melody floating above the accompaniment.
The primary challenge lies in maintaining a fluid, bravura tone while executing wide-spanning arpeggiated figures at high speed.
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.
Lesser-known works by the same hand, at a comparable level.
Etude de Concert (Op.36) is rated Henle level 7 of 9 — late advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grade 8 and above. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 10.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 7 — meaning you can already play level 6–7 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 Etude de Concert (Op.36) lasts about 4 minutes.
Etude de Concert (Op.36) 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 Concert Paraphrase of Rigoletto, by Verdi by Franz Liszt, Allegro de Concierto by Enrique Granados, Boabdil by Moritz Moszkowski — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.