I've just put in a search for L'Orage in the forums and it's coming up as a Grade 6 piece. I found it in a book of Grade 5 pieces produced by the ABRSM, so chose it to play, thinking it was within my capabilities.

I really love playing it, it's the best, most enjoyable piece I've ever played! I have started to think I'm not doing too badly if it's a Grade 6 piece. I think it may take some time before I can play it at the right speed, though!

I've taught this piece several times. The pupils have all really enjoyed it. I would put it at about grade 6 - my pupils have usually done it as a piece to broaden repertoire between grade 5 & 6.

That's encouraging - I'm doing it as a piece to broaden repertoire between 4 and 5. The other piece I'm playing is Fur Elise, which people seem to say is Grade 4, possibly Grade 5 - I find it harder than the Burgmuller.

I remember playing this years ago. Must dig it out. I know its in one of the ABRSM 'Short Romantic Pieces' series, probably book IV.

Book III which is supposed to be around grade 5.
Just had a look. It was 1989 when I learnt it.. way before I did grade 5.

That's torn it - I thought I was doing so well....

That's the book I'm playing it from - I bought it cheap in a shop in Ripon that closed down recently.

In some ways I think it demonstrates that the 'what grade?' question is not absolute.
As has been said before people will find different difficulties at all level. A grade 8 player can find some grade 2 and 3 pieces difficult and a grade 3/4 player may find some grade 6 pieces relatively easy.

I remember once playing a study that me then teacher said was difficult and having little trouble with it.

If you look at it in context in the original opus 109(?) book of studies, then the composer's suggestion is to play Orage as a precursor to the Refrain de Gondolier that follows it - and which was a G6 piece for 2007/2008. I think it is very effective this way - balancing the sweetness of the Refrain with some more troubled skies...

Don't pay too much attention to the grade. Who cares? If it's rewarding to you musically and technically to play, it is doing you good and teaching you something and you will be a better player after you have learnt it than you were before! And you will have had fun getting there!

My comments about the grade level were a bit tongue in cheek I must admit I'm not that bothered, but liked the thought that I was doing something that some people seemed to consider was Grade 6 level, when I'm clearly not!