Allemanda, FVB 187

John Marchant

BaroqueObscuresuite4/4~3 min
H4
Henle (estimated)
RCM 6ABRSM 5

About this piece

Found in the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, this work by John Marchant showcases the ornate English virginalist style. It is a stylistically significant example of the transition from early dance forms to more florid keyboard writing.

Teacher notes

The challenge is navigating the dense, virtuosic ornamentation without losing the clarity of the underlying dance pulse.

Technical focus

counterpointornamentationarticulationflowing-sixteenths

Mood

elegantcontemplative

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

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Frequently asked questions

How hard is Allemanda, FVB 187 by John Marchant?

Allemanda, FVB 187 is rated Henle level 4 of 9 — intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 5–6. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 6.

What level do I need to play Allemanda, FVB 187?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 4 — meaning you can already play level 3–4 pieces cleanly. Learning it one level early is possible as a stretch piece, but more than that usually leads to months of frustration.

How long is Allemanda, FVB 187?

A typical performance of Allemanda, FVB 187 lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Allemanda, FVB 187?

Allemanda, FVB 187 is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Allemanda, FVB 187?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Am spinett by Christian Sinding, Bonny Sweet Robin by John Bull, 10 Variations on 'Zu Steffen sprach im Traume' by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.