A challenging hybrid piece that merges the improvisatory nature of a fantasy with the technical demands of a concert étude. It focuses on stamina and dynamic control throughout the keyboard.
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; fine finger independence within the hand; and sharp dynamic and character contrasts held together in one arc.
Beyond that, expect rubato that must breathe naturally without losing the pulse.
Achieving consistent clarity during the dense, virtuosic technical passages is the primary difficulty.
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.
Fantaisie-Étude (Op.20) 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 Fantaisie-Étude (Op.20) lasts about 4 minutes.
Fantaisie-Étude (Op.20) 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 Ephemera by Paul Perillo, Rhapsody in G minor, No. 2 by Johannes Brahms, Elegie by Franz Liszt — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.