This etude is a challenging exhibition piece focused on rapid octave passages in the key of D major. Its brilliance comes from its aggressive virtuosity and demanding physical requirements.
At Henle 5 this is a late-intermediate piece — technically substantial, with musical demands to match. The main demands: octave passages that demand a relaxed wrist to avoid tension; fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo; and wide stretches that reward larger hands and clever redistribution.
Focus on keeping the wrist loose and flexible during the rapid, sustained octave-runs.
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 No.5 in D major "Octaves" is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 8.
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.5 in D major "Octaves" lasts about 4 minutes.
Etude No.5 in D major "Octaves" 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 No.9 in E major "Sixths" by Shuwen Zhang, Etude No.7 in A major by Shuwen Zhang, Albumleaf No.24: Humoresque by Shuwen Zhang — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.