A contemporary exploration of the C minor key by Gary Bachlund, focusing on concise thematic development. It juxtaposes a dramatic, quasi-improvisatory opening with a disciplined fugal response.
At Henle 5 this is a late-intermediate piece — technically substantial, with musical demands to match. The main demands: independent voices that must each sing on their own line; fine finger independence within the hand; and precise articulation — the difference between crisp and blurred is the piece.
Beyond that, expect chord voicing — bringing out one note inside a handful of others.
The primary challenge is ensuring that the fugue subject is projected clearly through the thick contrapuntal texture.
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.
Fantasia and Fugue in C minor is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7.
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 Fantasia and Fugue in C minor lasts about 5 minutes.
Fantasia and Fugue in C minor 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 Chromatic Fugue in G minor by Gary Bachlund, Elegy and Fugue in B flat minor by Gary Bachlund, Elegy and Fugue in A minor by Gary Bachlund — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.