Fugues analysis well tempered clavier book of bach

Prelude and fugue in f minor, from welltempered clavier book i johann sebastian bach. Indepth analysis and interpretation, siglind bruhn has crafted 48 jewels of her own, 48 elegant and eloquent visualizations of bach s precious fugues. Fugue d major the d major fugue is a very interesting piece, as there are some parallels to the first part of a french overture, with its ornamental lines and dotted notes almost in the style of jean babtiste lully. The well tempered clavier, or preludes and fugues through all tones and semitones, relating to the major third, that is, ut re mi, as well as those related to the minor third, that is, re mi fa. Deceptive cadence the pianist has such an intimate relationship with the welltempered clavier, hearing him play its kaleidoscopic preludes and. An important feature of the fugue is its two pedal points bars 61 to 65, and 76 to 82. For close to two centuries the preludes and fugues of the welltempered clavier wtc have. Through a musical language involving symbols, numbers, and tonality, j. Jan 16, 20 andras schiffs welltempered guide to bach. The welltempered clavier, bwv 846893, is a collection of two sets of preludes and fugues in all 24 major and minor keys, composed for solo keyboard by johann sebastian bach.

Published on dec 4, 2016 richard atkinson analyzes the amazing counterpoint of the d major fugue from the welltempered clavier, book ii, by j. Fugue analysis bach fugue in g minor, wtc i youtube. The prelude and fugue in csharp minor, bwv 849, is a pair of keyboard compositions by johann sebastian bach. Yo tomita the links on this page point to files at yo tomitas well tempered clavier book ii midi page. My question is related to the structure of the fugue of this particular fugue as well as of fugues in general, which is not clear to me. The haunting fivevoice fugue in bflat minor has several characteristics which are notable. Free sheet music for the complete 48 preludes and fugues of the well tempered clavier by j. The 14 notes long subject is said to be related to bach s name. Prelude and fugue in csharp minor, bwv 849 wikipedia. The prelude and fugue in c major, bwv 846, is a keyboard composition written by johann sebastian bach. The fortyeight preludes and fugues that make up the two books of the welltempered clavier were compiled at two different timesthe first book in 1722 while bach was in kothen and in 1742 in leipzig.

Dec 04, 2016 richard atkinson analyzes the amazing counterpoint of the d major fugue from the well tempered clavier, book ii, by j. In bachs time clavier keyboard was a generic name indicating a variety of keyboard instruments, most typically a harpsichord or clavichord but not excluding an organ either. Bach created emotional dimension in the preludes and fugues of the well tempered clavier. Here you find 3 complete recordings and several single preludes and fugues of the welltempered clavier by johann sebastian bach. Bach 48 preludes and fugues well tempered clavier its the keyboard work that has lasted through the centuries bach s well tempered clavier is the aspiring pianists goto text. The welltempered clavier, bwv 846893, is a collection of two sets of preludes and fugues in. A proper analysis of js bach s well tempered clavier is therefore simply a must for anybody who takes playing the 48 seriously. Analysis of dsharp minor fugue from the welltempered clavier. In a conventional baroque fugue, the subject is first stated by itself. Volume ii deals with the preludes and fugues wtc i, nos.

It explores the intricacies of each of the 12 major and 12 minor keys and constitutes the largestscale and mostinfluential undertaking for solo keyboard of the baroque era. The well tempered clavier book 2 scrolling gerubach. Harpsichordist and conductor trevor pinnock will release his first ever recording of book i of bach s well tempered clavier in april. Js bach, the welltempered clavier book 1, detailed. From all the works written in the baroque era, no other work has been so well cherished, frequently performed and thoroughly studied than this work of bach s. The fugue has practically no episodes, and, as scholars have pointed out. The countersubject is absent on three occasions see analysis. Second, the theme features a dramatic and expressive leap of a minor 9th the big jump upwards between the 2nd and 3rd notes. Analysis of dsharp minor fugue from the welltempered.

Richard atkinson analyzes the amazing counterpoint in the astonishingly complex dsharp minor fugue from book i of bachs welltempered. Finally, there is an outstanding set of analysis with illustrations and examples by timothy a. Atkinson analyzes the amazing counterpoint in the astonishingly complex csharp minor fugue from book i of bachs welltempered clavier. The comb binding creates a layflat book that is perfect for study and performance. The well tempered clavier, bwv 846893, collection of 48 preludes and fugues by johann sebastian bach, published in two books 1722 and 1742. Learn about welltempered clavier by js bach from the baroque era. A most impressive 220page edition of the first volume of the well tempered clavier, these 24 preludes and 24 fugues were painstakingly researched over a period of 10 years, using the most important original manuscript sources.

A coloured edition, analysed and defended according to the criteria that were in use during the eighteenth century. This website intends to provide input in developing practically applicable concepts to improve the understanding and interpretation of js bach s well tempered clavier, whether one uses the piano, the harpsichord, organ, electronic keyboard, or any other instrument. Through her generosity, they are provided here at earsense where they play an. Ive read your extremely useful article, how to learn a fugue, and i have started to practice the fugue accordingly. Published on jul 30, 2018 richard atkinson analyzes the amazing counterpoint in the astonishingly complex dsharp minor fugue from book i of bachs well. Analysis js bachs music combines two elements, namely a high degree of formalism and complexity with utmost beauty. Model answers for the works in book i bwv 846869 i1 prelude and fugue in c major. The well tempered clavier is the title of two collections of preludes and fugues by johann sebastian bach. This fugue has a tonal answer and would be called a tonal fugue. Subject and countersubject detection for analysis of the well. Prelude and fugue in f minor from welltempered clavier book.

Download a free and public domain recording and musical. This comprehensive, indepth work book on bach s well tempered clavier should be part of every pianists, piano teachers, and advanced piano amateurs library. As a quintessential baroque fugue, bachs d major fugue from book 1 of the welltempered clavier will make for suitable illustration of how to analyze a fugue. More information about these sequences can be found there. Books i and ii, complete dover music for piano bach, johann sebastian on. Js bach, the welltempered clavier book 1, detailed comments. For example, the piece that ends the cycle of book 1, the great bminor fugue, is so. If you are passionate about the musical arts, then consider giving to the school of music. The welltempered clavier is the title of two collections of preludes and fugues by johann sebastian bach. The welltempered clavier, bwv 846893, collection of 48 preludes and fugues by johann sebastian bach, published in two books 1722 and 1742. A musical analysis of the welltempered clavier suggests it encompasses a.

Dublin ant edinburgh, and professor of music in university of dublin, uted by b. The welltempered clavier is a great keyboard collection of preludes and fugues, which bach paired together. Many consider the two books of the welltempered clavier bach s finest keyboard collection. A detailed guide that analyzes the structural, harmonic and thematic frame of the prelude and the fugue.

Bach s most famous fugues are those for the harpsichord in the well tempered clavier, which many composers and theorists look at as the greatest model of fugue. First, it is one of the rare fugues with five voices there are two in book 1 of the well tempered clavier, and none in book 2. Bachs welltempered clavier indepth analysis and interpretation siglind bruhn. Incidentally, this subject is an example of double dotting or. Andras schiff plays welltempered clavier, at 92nd street y. This book explores the use of that musical language, revealing how bach used harmonic design and melodic and rhythmic motivic formulas to adhere to the basic doctrine of the theory of affectsi. The well tempered clavier comprises two volumes written in different times of bach s life, each comprising 24 prelude and fugue pairs, one for each major and minor key.

Volume i deals with the preludes and fugues wtc i, nos. The prelude is steadily and earnestly flowing, producing a polyphonic aria of rare beauty, similar to what js bach has achieved in book 1 prelude f. Countersubject ii appears in the bass part three times in succession bars 3544. This invaluable guide to the 96 pieces explains bach s various purposes in compiling the music, describes the rich traditions on which he drew, and provides commentaries for each prelude and fugue. The first fugue in the welltempered clavier is a beautiful introduction to the world of bach s fugues. Published on sep 3, 2017 richard atkinson analyzes the amazing counterpoint in one of the most unorthodox and remarkable fugues from bachs welltempered clavier. It is the first prelude and fugue in the first book of the well tempered clavier, a series of 48 preludes and fugues by the composer. The alteration in the answer, for the sake of tonality, is made from the first note to the second. Trevor pinnock to release first recording of bachs well. Its not just youthere are a number of general stylistic and architectural differences between book i and book ii, which is to be expected given that the compilations are separated by a period of twenty years.

Complete score of the welltempered clavier, book 1, by johann sebastian bach open welltempered clavier project. It explores the intricacies of each of the 12 major and 12 minor keys and constitutes the largestscale and mostinfluential undertaking for. This is a fair use educational commentary that uses a performance. Schiffs bach sings and dances, and has a clarity derived from a mesmerising touch and an aversion to the sustain pedal. Oct 29, 2012 when the pianist andras schiff took a break halfway through his magnificent performance of bachs welltempered clavier, book i, on saturday night at the 92nd street y, the intermission. Many consider the two books of the welltempered clavier bachs finest keyboard collection. Triple counterpoint is employed, because there are two countersubjects to be worked above and below the subject and answer.

It is also said that the subject appears exactly 24 times in this fugue representing the 24 fugues in the first book of the well tempered clavier. Bach created emotional dimension in the preludes and fugues of the welltempered clavier. Published on oct 1, 2017 richard atkinson analyzes the amazing counterpoint in the astonishingly complex csharp minor fugue from book i of bachs well. A fugue is a style of musical composition where a theme melody is introduced, and then repeated in one or more other voices. The well tempered clavier book 2 scrolling youtube. It is the fourth prelude and fugue in the first book of the welltempered clavier, a. This is especially true for the longer pieces, only few can really understand those in detail merely based on musical instinct and talent i, for instance, cant. Well tempered clavier book i, fugue c major the fugue c maj is a beautifully flowing piece of music, which is seemingly the perfect choice to be the introductory fugue to book 1. Is it just me, or does bachs wtc book 1 seem sassier.

This invaluable guide to the 96 pieces explains bachs various purposes in compiling the music, describes the rich traditions on which he drew. This comprehensive, indepth work book on bachs welltempered clavier should be part of every. Several attempts have been made to analyse the motivic connections between each prelude and fugue, most notably. He completed the first volume in cothen in 1722 and the second around 16 years later in leipzig. John charles francis in 2004 performed a mathematical analysis of the loops using mathematica under the assumption of beats per second. Bachs welltempered clavier or the 48 preludes and fugues stands at the core of baroque keyboard music and has been a model and inspiration for performers and composers ever since it was written. The fugues of the well tempered clavier is a site that provides interactive multimedia analyses of book i and portions of book ii of the wtc by johann sebastian bach. Richard atkinson analyzes the amazing counterpoint of the d major fugue from the welltempered clavier, book ii, by j. The music was written in all 24 major and minor keys for solo keyboard. Which one is your favorite prelude and fugue from bachs. Continue from part 8 donald satz wrote october 15, 2000. An exploration of the 48 preludes and fugues marjorie wornell engels on.

Bachs welltempered clavier a video for the curious. Im starting to learn bach s fugue in d major from book 1 of the well tempered clavier. Bach s well tempered clavier was recently covered by a new website, created by tim smith, who teaches composition at the northern arizona university and is in charge of the bach digital project under the umbrella of the oregon bach festival. But as you will see in our analysis, there are only 22 complete subjects. Published on jul 30, 2018 richard atkinson analyzes the amazing counterpoint in the astonishingly complex dsharp minor fugue from book i of bach s welltempered clavier, including a discussion of. Preludes and fugues the welltempered clavier, by j. Through her generosity, they are provided here at earsense where they play an essential role in our collaborative presentation. Giving to the school of music your generosity helps us maintain topnotch programs at nau.

Theres a prelude and fugue pair for each of the 24 keys on the piano major and minor. The well tempered clavier, book 1 bwv 846869 the well tempered clavier 1 is a collection of educational pieces with exceptionally high artistic contents. Many performers touch the first aspect only briefly and focus on the flow of the music, to be able to express the inner beauty of the work. In bar 15 the answer is exceptional, being real instead of tonal. Both book i and book ii comprises 24 pairs of prelude and fugue. The first collection was written in 1722 and the second was written in 1742. The complete preludes and fugues from the well tempered clavier, volume ii. Claude charlier, johann sebastian bach in colour j. Bach loved numbers, symbolism, and symmetry, so this is very likely his way of showing that he intended to write 24 fugues altogether. Johann sebastian bachs well tempered clavier posts facebook. A fugue of unusual construction, in the few entries of the subject, and the very large proportion of episode. I wish to extend my thanks to yo for allowing me to link to them. Atkinson analyzes the amazing counterpoint in the astonishingly complex c sharp minor fugue from book i of bachs welltempered clavier. Johann sebastian bachs masterpiece the welltempered clavier, is a crowning jewel.