An alternative listing for the Eckert Fackeltanz, this work serves as a prime example of mid-19th-century ceremonial salon music. The composition relies on classic harmonic progressions typical of the era's light orchestral piano transcriptions.
At Henle 4 this is an intermediate piece that expects secure technique and real attention to phrasing. The main demands: precise articulation — the difference between crisp and blurred is the piece; a true singing tone, with the melody floating above the accompaniment; and a left hand with real melodic or rhythmic responsibility of its own.
Focus on the hierarchy of voices to ensure the melody remains prominent against the rhythmic march accompaniment.
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.
Fackeltanz is rated Henle level 4 of 9 — intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 5–6. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 5.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 4 — meaning you can already play level 3–4 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 Fackeltanz lasts about 4 minutes.
Fackeltanz 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 12 Variations in G on 'La Bérgere Célimène' by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bolero by César Cui, Despedida de las Chilenas by José Bernardo Alzedo — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.