Moszkowski's take on the Fackeltanz tradition blends virtuosic display with the grandiosity expected of processional music. The writing is quintessentially pianistic, requiring substantial control over texture and dynamic shading.
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; sweeping arpeggio figures that must stay smooth across positions; and octave passages that demand a relaxed wrist to avoid tension.
Beyond that, expect chord voicing — bringing out one note inside a handful of others.
The primary challenge lies in the rapid passage work and the execution of grand, resonant chords that maintain an orchestral character.
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.
Fackeltanz (Op.51) 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 Fackeltanz (Op.51) lasts about 4 minutes.
Fackeltanz (Op.51) 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 Der Schäfer putzt sich zum Tanze by Moritz Moszkowski, Caprice espagnol by Moritz Moszkowski, Fantaisie-Impromptu by Moritz Moszkowski — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.