Bisticcio

Celestina MasottiOp.23

RomanticObscurecapriceAllegro vivo2/4~3 min
H4
Henle (estimated)
RCM 6ABRSM 5

About this piece

Bisticcio, meaning a jumble or quarrel, is a technical showpiece by Celestina Masotti that tests the performer's dexterity. Its fleeting, busy textures are characteristic of late-Romantic salon caprices intended for pedagogical display.

Teacher notes

Pay close attention to the light, detached finger work required to convey the playful, argumentative character.

Technical focus

finger-independencearticulationleft-hand-independence

Mood

brilliantplayful

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Bisticcio

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

Browse all Henle level 4 pieces (Intermediate) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Bisticcio (Op.23) by Celestina Masotti?

Bisticcio (Op.23) 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 Bisticcio?

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 Bisticcio?

A typical performance of Bisticcio (Op.23) lasts about 3 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Bisticcio?

Bisticcio (Op.23) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Bisticcio?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Bisticcio by Celestina Masotti, Alexander's Ragtime Band by Irving Berlin, Canto del guajiro by Ernesto Lecuona — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.