Concerto in C major

Johann Sebastian BachBWV 976

BaroqueSpecialisttoccataC majorAllegro4/4~6 min

About this piece

This is a keyboard concerto arrangement of Vivaldi's violin concerto by J.S. Bach. It is distinctive for its rigorous contrapuntal texture and transcription of idiomatic string writing into keyboard figurations.

What makes it challenging

At Henle 6 this is an advanced piece that assumes fluent technique and rewards mature interpretation. The main demands: independent voices that must each sing on their own line; fine finger independence within the hand; and precise articulation — the difference between crisp and blurred is the piece.

Beyond that, expect continuous sixteenth-note figuration that must ripple, not chatter, and ornaments that need to sound effortless, not squeezed in.

Teacher notes

Maintain clarity and rhythmic drive in the rapid sixteenth-note passages while executing precise articulation.

Technical focus

counterpointfinger-independencearticulationflowing-sixteenthsornamentation

Mood

energeticbrilliantprecise

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

What to play around Concerto in C major

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The next step up

Where this piece's skills lead: slightly harder works making similar technical demands.

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Lesser-known works by the same hand, at a comparable level.

Browse all Henle level 6 pieces (Advanced) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Concerto in C major (BWV 976) by Johann Sebastian Bach?

Concerto in C major (BWV 976) is rated Henle level 6 of 9 — advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 7–8. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 8.

What level do I need to play Concerto in C major?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 6 — meaning you can already play level 5–6 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 Concerto in C major?

A typical performance of Concerto in C major (BWV 976) lasts about 6 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Concerto in C major?

Concerto in C major (BWV 976) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Concerto in C major?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Concerto in G major by Johann Sebastian Bach, Italian Concerto in F major by Johann Sebastian Bach, Partita No. 1 in B-flat major by Johann Sebastian Bach — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.