This is a contemporary work composed in a traditional contrapuntal form by Leo Bykhovsky. It blends neo-Baroque structural discipline with 20th-century harmonic sensibilities.
At Henle 6 this is an advanced piece that assumes fluent technique and rewards mature interpretation. The main demands: independent voices that must each sing on their own line; fine finger independence within the hand; and sharp dynamic and character contrasts held together in one arc.
Beyond that, expect precise articulation — the difference between crisp and blurred is the piece, and chord voicing — bringing out one note inside a handful of others.
The primary challenge is maintaining clear polyphonic lines while navigating complex, modern harmonic shifts.
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.
Fantasia and Fugue in E minor (Op.9) is rated Henle level 6 of 9 — advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 7–8.
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 Fantasia and Fugue in E minor (Op.9) lasts about 6 minutes.
Fantasia and Fugue in E minor (Op.9) 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 Fantasia and Fugue in E by Leo Bykhovsky, Basso Ostinato, VL 267 by Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, 'Musical composition, an Ineffable Act between Fantasy and Rigour' by Liana Alexandra — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.