This obscure contemporary work by Sissel Ng embraces a whimsical approach to composition, deliberately ignoring traditional structural conventions. It relies on sudden shifts in energy and texture to maintain the listener's interest.
At Henle 5 this is a late-intermediate piece — technically substantial, with musical demands to match. The main demands: fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo; sharp dynamic and character contrasts held together in one arc; and sweeping arpeggio figures that must stay smooth across positions.
The player must manage abrupt shifts in dynamics and articulation to capture the piece's unpredictable spirit.
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 Ignoring Rules (Op.23) 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 Ignoring Rules (Op.23) lasts about 3 minutes.
Fantasia Ignoring Rules (Op.23) 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 Ignoring Rules by Sissel Ng, Alexander's Ragtime Band by Irving Berlin, 12 Variations on "Ah vous dirais-je, Maman" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.