This contemporary work merges the improvisatory nature of a fantasy with the rhythmic vitality of a scherzo. Its distinctiveness lies in its unpredictable shifts in mood and sudden technical demands typical of modern piano writing.
At Henle 6 this is an advanced piece that assumes fluent technique and rewards mature interpretation. The main demands: fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo; sharp dynamic and character contrasts held together in one arc; and rubato that must breathe naturally without losing the pulse.
The main challenge is executing sharp, sudden shifts in tempo and dynamic character with precision.
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 Scherzo is rated Henle level 6 of 9 — advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 7–8. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 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 Scherzo lasts about 5 minutes.
Fantasia and Scherzo 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 Ballade and Scherzetto by Robert Volkmann, Chortle, cackle, cachinnate, guffaw, roar, giggle, snicker, snigger, titter by Nikolaos-Laonikos Psimikakis-Chalkokondylis, 12 Variations on "Ah vous dirais-je, Maman" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.