Roguski’s piece is a stylized Polish dance that integrates the national character of the mazurka with Romantic piano textures. It demonstrates careful control of rhythm and subtle harmonic shifts typical of the late 19th-century Polish school.
At Henle 5 this is a late-intermediate piece — technically substantial, with musical demands to match. The main demands: a waltz lilt that needs charm and a flexible left hand; precise articulation — the difference between crisp and blurred is the piece; and a left hand with real melodic or rhythmic responsibility of its own.
Beyond that, expect rubato that must breathe naturally without losing the pulse.
Mastering the specific rhythmic swing of the mazurka with correct accentuation is the central technical requirement.
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-Mazurka (Op.6) 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-Mazurka (Op.6) lasts about 4 minutes.
Fantaisie-Mazurka (Op.6) 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 Dumka by Gustaw Roguski, Bells across the Meadows (Characteristic Intermezzo)) by Albert William Ketèlbey, An English Waltz by Cyril Scott — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.