Part of Sterkel's catalog of divertimenti, this work utilizes standard Classical structures to explore expressive contrast. It is musically distinctive for its clear phrase structure and efficient use of harmonic tension.
At Henle 4 this is an intermediate piece that expects secure technique and real attention to phrasing. The main demands: Alberti-bass accompaniment kept quiet and even under the melody; precise articulation — the difference between crisp and blurred is the piece; and fine finger independence within the hand.
Beyond that, expect ornaments that need to sound effortless, not squeezed in.
Work on the clarity and balance of the inner voices during rapid passage-work.
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.
Divertissement in A minor, StWV 228 is rated Henle level 4 of 9 — intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 5–6. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 6.
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.
A typical performance of Divertissement in A minor, StWV 228 lasts about 5 minutes.
Divertissement in A minor, StWV 228 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 Divertissement in A minor by Johann Franz Xaver Sterkel, 'Lina', StWV 69/3 by Johann Franz Xaver Sterkel, Solfegetto in C minor, H 220 by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.