Bacchaneale

James M. Wehli

RomanticObscurecapriceA minorAllegro vivace6/8~6 min
H5
Henle (estimated)
RCM 7ABRSM 7

About this piece

This Bacchaneale is a fiery, virtuosic display piece heavily influenced by the Lisztian tradition of piano writing. It is known for its intense energy and rapid-fire passage work.

Teacher notes

Development of wrist flexibility and forearm stamina is required for the relentless technical demands.

Technical focus

speed-agilityarpeggiosdramatic-contrastoctave-runs

Mood

dramaticpassionatebrilliant

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Bacchaneale

Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.

Browse all Henle level 5 pieces (Late intermediate) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Bacchaneale by James M. Wehli?

Bacchaneale is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 7.

What level do I need to play Bacchaneale?

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.

How long is Bacchaneale?

A typical performance of Bacchaneale lasts about 6 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Bacchaneale?

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

What pieces are similar to Bacchaneale?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Allegro fuocoso by Antoine François Marmontel, Ballade by Alexandre Édouard Goria, Ballade No.1 by Theodor Döhler — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.