Adolf von Henselt was a virtuoso known for his massive hand stretches and demanding technical requirements. This etude is a quintessential example of his style, requiring both power and extreme flexibility.
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; big chords that need weight without harshness; and wide stretches that reward larger hands and clever redistribution.
Beyond that, expect sharp dynamic and character contrasts held together in one arc.
The primary challenge is managing the extensive, wide-spread chords without inducing physical tension.
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.
Etude in A minor 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 8.
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 in A minor lasts about 4 minutes.
Etude in A 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 Ballade by Adolf von Henselt, Etude in C major by Adolf von Henselt, Das ferne Land by Adolf von Henselt — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.