Banjo, Capriccio Characterisque

Maurice Strakosch

RomanticObscurecapriceC majorAllegretto2/4~3 min
H5
Henle (estimated)
RCM 7ABRSM 6

About this piece

This character piece by Strakosch is a typical 19th-century salon imitation of banjo playing, utilizing percussive textures. It is distinctive for its attempts to replicate plucked string timbres through idiomatic piano writing.

Teacher notes

The primary challenge is maintaining a crisp, light articulation to mimic the metallic twang of a banjo.

Technical focus

speed-agilityarticulationfinger-independencearpeggios

Mood

playfulbrilliant

Listen & watch

No video available for this piece.

Your status

Not in your repertoire

Sign in to track this piece

Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Banjo, Capriccio Characterisque

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 Banjo, Capriccio Characterisque by Maurice Strakosch?

Banjo, Capriccio Characterisque 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 Banjo, Capriccio Characterisque?

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 Banjo, Capriccio Characterisque?

A typical performance of Banjo, Capriccio Characterisque lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Banjo, Capriccio Characterisque?

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

What pieces are similar to Banjo, Capriccio Characterisque?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include California Gold Fever Galop by Maurice Strakosch, Banjo by Maurice Strakosch, 'Robert le Diable' Fantaisie by Maurice Strakosch — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.