Based on Vivaldi’s Op. 7 No. 2, this work represents Bach's mastery of the Italian concerto style transposed for solo keyboard. It is notable for its rhythmic vitality and intricate imitation between registers.
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 ornaments that need to sound effortless, not squeezed in, and chord voicing — bringing out one note inside a handful of others.
Focus on balancing the polyphonic lines to ensure the thematic material remains prominent.
Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.
A level or two down with the same spirit — ideal if this piece is still out of reach.
Where this piece's skills lead: slightly harder works making similar technical demands.
Lesser-known works by the same hand, at a comparable level.
Concerto in C major (BWV 977) is rated Henle level 6 of 9 — advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 7–8. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 8.
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.
A typical performance of Concerto in C major (BWV 977) lasts about 7 minutes.
Concerto in C major (BWV 977) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.
Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Concerto in G minor by Johann Sebastian Bach, Concerto in G major by Johann Sebastian Bach, Concerto in G minor by Johann Sebastian Bach — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.