Rubinstein’s Fantaisie displays the composer's typical penchant for grandiosity and virtuosic display. It utilizes expansive keyboard layouts and dramatic thematic transformations that challenge the performer's technique and endurance.
At Henle 7 this is a late-advanced work — the technical demands are serious and sustained. The main demands: sweeping arpeggio figures that must stay smooth across positions; big chords that need weight without harshness; and sharp dynamic and character contrasts held together in one arc.
Beyond that, expect fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo.
At roughly 8 minutes, stamina and memory become part of the challenge — plan practice in sections.
Controlling the massive, wide-spanning chordal jumps while maintaining musical tension is the greatest technical hurdle.
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 (Op.73) is rated Henle level 7 of 9 — late advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grade 8 and above. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 9.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 7 — meaning you can already play level 6–7 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 (Op.73) lasts about 8 minutes.
Fantaisie (Op.73) 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 Allegro Appassionato by Anton Rubinstein, Fantasia eroica by Anton Rubinstein, Fantaisie by Anton Rubinstein — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.