Italian Concerto — 1st movement

J. S. BachBWV 971

Key

F

Time

C

Tempo

♩=100

AO focus

AO3

Form

First movement of Bach's Italian Concerto for solo harpsichord — a one-instrument 'concerto' that imitates the Vivaldi tutti / soloist alternation using the harpsichord's two manuals (forte = both manuals, piano = upper manual only). Ritornello form.

Teaching points

• Two-manual writing — Bach uses dynamics (forte / piano marks) in the published score, rare for him. They cue manual changes
• Ritornello form — a recurring tutti theme alternates with episode material. Track the returns of the opening F-major theme
• AO3: how does Bach simulate orchestral texture on a single keyboard?
• Practical: a Grade 8 / diploma piano standard. Often played on piano (with octave-doublings to suggest the manual change)