A stormy, intense work that contrasts with the lighter fairy-themed pieces of the era. It utilizes driving rhythm and sudden dynamic shifts to convey an atmosphere of struggle.
At Henle 4 this is an intermediate piece that expects secure technique and real attention to phrasing. The main demands: fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo; sharp dynamic and character contrasts held together in one arc; and a left hand with real melodic or rhythmic responsibility of its own.
The technical difficulty lies in maintaining the agitated rhythmic drive through the more complex hand-crossing passages.
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.
Fairy's Hardship is rated Henle level 4 of 9 — intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 5–6. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 6.
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 Fairy's Hardship lasts about 3 minutes.
Fairy's Hardship 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 Elegie by Franz Liszt, Dance of the Demon by Eduard Holst, Elegy by Camille Saint-Saëns — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.