A contemporary composition by Leo Bykhovsky utilizing the classical fantasia and fugue pairing in a major key. It demonstrates a synthesis of academic rigor and modern expressive writing.
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.
Students must balance the rhythmic drive of the fugue subject against the free-flowing phrasing required in the fantasia.
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 (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 (Op. 9) lasts about 6 minutes.
Fantasia and Fugue in E (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 minor by Leo Bykhovsky, Fantasia and Fugue in C minor, H.75.5 by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Fantasia and Fugue in C minor, Wq.119/7 (H.75.5) by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.