The 'Facetten-Suite' is a contemporary work exploring various textures and harmonic facets within a single multi-movement framework. It demands versatility in touch and dynamic control.
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; several simultaneous layers, each needing its own dynamic level; and sharp dynamic and character contrasts held together in one arc.
Beyond that, expect sweeping arpeggio figures that must stay smooth across positions.
The player must manage the rapid shifts in texture and color between different sections.
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.
Facetten-Suite is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 7.
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 Facetten-Suite lasts about 6 minutes.
Facetten-Suite 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 en forme de Tapisserie by Julian Raoul Besset, Expostulations by Julian Raoul Besset, Extase by Julian Raoul Besset — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.