Bach's Italian Concerto

[uncle_trapspringer]

     Hello, this is my first post, though I've been lurking around the forums for a while.  I'll be sixteen in a couple of months and have been playing for about two years and four months.    Anyway, recently my piano teacher had given me Bach's Italian Concerto in hopes that I will be able to perform it at the Southern Californian Junior Bach Festival in May of next year, and also at the Bach Complete Works recital October of Next year.
     My teacher is confident that with dedication, which I am willing to give, I will be able to play it for next year, although her teacher is skeptical.  I've had the piece for almost a week now, and have the first page of the first movement almost done, but I haven't had much time to practice between school and homework.  But with summer approaching, I plan to practice a couple hour a day so that I will have sufficient practice with this piece as well as my others. 
     Sp far, the piece has been somewhat complicated, though not impossible, and I was wondering if anyone has any suggestion that might make learning it a little easier?

Thank you in advance,
-J. Queen

[Kassaa]

You get a better feeling of the piece when you really see it as a solo concerto. There is really some orchestral writing which is very obvious, on the second page of the first movement, you get the intro of the solo with the c-d-c-d. Also, in the whole work the three ascending thirds of the opening are used as a motive, in the second movement especially the whole left hand is based on it, and there are some really obvious moments in the third movement where they are descending rather than ascending.

Aproach this work contrapunctally btw, it has a lot of voices that have to be brought out. I wish you the best of luck, I had some awesome experiences with this work last year, and just relearned it for some upcoming concerts. It's difficult, but it's worth it .

[teresa_b]

I learned this piece years ago--love it!  It is difficult, but here are a few hints:

In the 2nd movement, imagine you are playing the melody on a violin.  That way you will remember to phrase it and avoid sounding mechanical due to the repetitive "passacaglia" bass. 

In the 3rd movement think "light" and "dancing"--and have fun! 

Teresa