Mozart's Fantasy in D minor, K. 397, is a deeply expressive and improvisatory work that captivates with its dramatic shifts in mood and texture. It begins with a somber, recitative-like passage and unfolds into sections of intense pathos and lyrical beauty.
Developing a fluid, improvisatory feel and mastering dramatic dynamic contrasts are key to interpreting this evocative fantasy.
Fantasy in D minor (K. 397) 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 Fantasy in D minor (K. 397) lasts about 7 minutes.
Fantasy in D minor (K. 397) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.