This work pairs a dramatic introductory fantasia with a strictly constructed fugue. It is distinctive for its attempt to reconcile post-Romantic textures with traditional Baroque contrapuntal forms.
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 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, and sharp dynamic and character contrasts held together in one arc.
The main challenge is maintaining clarity and independent voice lines within the fugal sections.
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 (e Fuga) Op.2Re 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 (e Fuga) Op.2Re lasts about 6 minutes.
Fantasia (e Fuga) Op.2Re 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, C minor by Johann Sebastian Bach, Das Wohl Temperierte Klavier, vol I, Fugue 18 by Johann Sebastian Bach, Fantasia and Fugue in A minor by Johann Sebastian Bach — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.