This fanfare by Pierre Rolf Cerasi incorporates complex harmonic coloring within a standard fanfare structure. It is notable for its insistent rhythmic motifs that create a sense of forward momentum.
At Henle 5 this is a late-intermediate piece — technically substantial, with musical demands to match. The main demands: big chords that need weight without harshness; sharp dynamic and character contrasts held together in one arc; and precise articulation — the difference between crisp and blurred is the piece.
Beyond that, expect chord voicing — bringing out one note inside a handful of others.
The primary challenge is balancing the weight of the chordal textures while keeping the rhythmic pulse steady.
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.
Fanfare 1 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 Fanfare 1 lasts about 3 minutes.
Fanfare 1 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 Rhapsody in G minor, No. 2 by Johannes Brahms, El Entrerriano by Rosendo Mendizábal, Allegro in D minor by George Frideric Handel — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.