This piece is identical to the entry by Nikolai Ivanovich Aleksandrov, reflecting the same virtuosic Romantic tradition. It serves as a study in endurance and technical agility for the advanced pianist.
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; sweeping arpeggio figures that must stay smooth across positions; and sharp dynamic and character contrasts held together in one arc.
Beyond that, expect chord voicing — bringing out one note inside a handful of others.
Stamina and clarity in the high-velocity passages remain the main technical hurdle.
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 (Op.6) is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 8.
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 (Op.6) lasts about 7 minutes.
Fantasia (Op.6) 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 Bohemian Dance by Rudolf Friml, Dance of the Demon by Eduard Holst, Fantaisie Brillante on Verdi's 'Rigoletto' by Ignace Xavier Joseph Leybach — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.