Leybach’s take on Mozart's Don Juan is a grander, more ambitious work meant to compete with the virtuosic fantasies of the era. It incorporates more demanding octave work and complex textures than his smaller salon pieces.
At Henle 6 this is an advanced piece that assumes fluent technique and rewards mature interpretation. The main demands: sweeping arpeggio figures that must stay smooth across positions; octave passages that demand a relaxed wrist to avoid tension; and fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo.
Beyond that, expect sharp dynamic and character contrasts held together in one arc.
At roughly 10 minutes, stamina and memory become part of the challenge — plan practice in sections.
The technical hurdle is the precision required in the rapid octave passages that permeate the thematic development.
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 Brilliante on Mozart's 'Don Juan' (Op.81) is rated Henle level 6 of 9 — advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 7–8. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 9.
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 Brilliante on Mozart's 'Don Juan' (Op.81) lasts about 10 minutes.
Fantaisie Brilliante on Mozart's 'Don Juan' (Op.81) 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 on Verdi's 'Rigoletto' by Ignace Xavier Joseph Leybach, Fantaisie Brillante on Verdi's Un Ballo in Maschera by Ignace Xavier Joseph Leybach, Fantaisie brillante sur 'Der Freischütz' by Ignace Xavier Joseph Leybach — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.