Same! As a teenager I was finishing up my final grade in piano before leaving my (now dearly departed) piano teacher behind and going off to uni. I dedicated a year of my life to learning that piece. In hindsight it was one of the best decisions I've made. I wish I took a year off and learned a few more pieces of his - they're as amazing to play as they are to listen to.
I love playing that piece - from the booming ffff crescendo to the feverish accelerando in the middle, it’s just a blast, and a great one to break the ice and warm up with. I remember learning this prelude, elegie, and liszt’s mephisto waltz, liebestraum and orage one summer when I was 16 or so. They were incredibly cathartic pieces for an angry young man, and played no small part in getting me through a difficult period.