This contemporary etude explores idiomatic D major figurations within a modern harmonic language. It is characterized by its focused exploration of specific keyboard patterns and clear textural design.
At Henle 5 this is a late-intermediate piece — technically substantial, with musical demands to match. The main demands: fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo; fine finger independence within the hand; and a true singing tone, with the melody floating above the accompaniment.
Beyond that, expect chord voicing — bringing out one note inside a handful of others, and precise articulation — the difference between crisp and blurred is the piece.
Maintaining consistent finger-independence and clarity through rapid passagework is the primary challenge.
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 No.2 in D major (Op.12) is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 6.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 5 — meaning you can already play level 4–5 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 No.2 in D major (Op.12) lasts about 3 minutes.
Etude No.2 in D major (Op.12) 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 Etude in D major by Matin ShaianFar, Etude No.4 in C minor by Matin ShaianFar, Etude No.3 in D-flat major by Matin ShaianFar — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.