Using iconic melodies from Gounod's Faust, Smith creates a dense and highly decorative piano fantasy. This work serves as an excellent case study in late-romantic paraphrase and transcription technique.
At Henle 6 this is an advanced piece that assumes fluent technique and rewards mature interpretation. The main demands: fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo; sweeping arpeggio figures that must stay smooth across positions; and ornaments that need to sound effortless, not squeezed in.
Beyond that, expect a true singing tone, with the melody floating above the accompaniment, and chord voicing — bringing out one note inside a handful of others.
At roughly 9 minutes, stamina and memory become part of the challenge — plan practice in sections.
Requires careful management of textures to ensure the complex arpeggiated patterns do not overwhelm the lyrical themes.
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.
Fantaisie Brillante on 'Faust' (Op.117) is rated Henle level 6 of 9 — advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 7–8. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 8.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 6 — meaning you can already play level 5–6 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 Brillante on 'Faust' (Op.117) lasts about 9 minutes.
Fantaisie Brillante on 'Faust' (Op.117) 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 Fantaisie brillante sur l'opéra 'La sonnambula' by Sydney Smith, Fantaisie Brillante on 'Rigoletto' by Sydney Smith, Bohemian Girl - Brilliant Fantasia by Sydney Smith — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.