Bach WTC Options

[ansatz496]

After a long period of disenchantment, I've finally rediscovered the great WTC (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I've only played the D major and F minor from book II (I much preferred the latter), and mostly out of a vague feeling that I "should" rather than actual interest. What are your favorite pieces and recordings? Which ones have you played? My favorites at the moment are C# minor, Eb minor and A minor from book I and C# major, F# minor, and G minor from book II (any ideas as to which of these are most approachable?). I find Robert Levin's recording using a combination harpsichord, clavichord, and organ is really interesting.

[Impressionist]

I'm working on the G minor from Book II as a potential part of my ATCL recital. It's challenging but not impossible so I'd say it was quite accessible. I like anything in a minor key though! <gloomy soul>

[ansatz496]

I'm working on the G minor from Book II as a potential part of my ATCL recital. It's challenging but not impossible so I'd say it was quite accessible. I like anything in a minor key though! <gloomy soul>

I think I wanted to do that one for DipA but my teacher said she thought was among the most challenging from both books (harder than several on the LRSM list), and suggested the D major (which I grew to despise) instead (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) Maybe I'll give it a go now. I usually have a preference for major keys, but somehow Bach's most magnificent fugues tend to be in minor keys IMO. There are lots of lovely cheerful ones too though.

[corenfa]

I really like C major, C minor, C# major from WTC 1 but I know that that is because my dad had a "Best of Bach" cassette tape which had those on it, so I grew up listening to them. C# major is my current on-the-go P&F, meaning I learn bits of it sporadically on no schedule.

[fsharpminor]

Well I play a good proportion of them.
As a general rule , I prefer book 2.
My favourite of all is F#Minor in Book 2 (No14), though its the second longest at approaching 8 mins. It is also set for Licentiate Dip. The Prelude is pretty straightforward, but in the fugue there are a couple of places with inner part semi quavers which vastly increases the difficulty. A more approachable one I like to play in Book 2 is the C Minor (No2), and even the C Major (no1). Another favourite is No 20 in A Minor, but many people dont like the chromatic prelude. Then also from Book 2 I played no 7 in Eflat last Saturday at Stalybridge event. That wouldnt be a bad starting point. No 5 in D has recently been a Dip A piece and has a rather jolly Prelude, but a rather tricky close stretto fugue.

From Book 1 , the rather short F major is easier as is No 5 in D and no 6 in D Minor. I also like the F minor (no 12). Alot of people like no 2 in C Minor, the prelude is nearly all semiquavers (with some demis thrown in for good measure)
I could go on as I know them so well, but havent time just now.

For recordings you cant do much better than Angela Hewitt !!

[Robodoc]

. . .
For recordings you cant do much better than Angela Hewitt !!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

. . . and a lot of people rave about Glen Gould's recordings, although personally I find them ascetic and soul-less (though certainly interesting from a stylistic point of view). Also, you can hear him humming through some of the recordings which ruins the music for me and drives me nuts: Angela Hewitt is the other end of the scale - warm, alive, fun even: It's hard to believe they are the same pieces of music.

[Deborah]

After a long period of disenchantment, I've finally rediscovered the great WTC (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I've only played the D major and F minor from book II (I much preferred the latter)

F minor from Book II (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

I'm currently doing battle with the G major P&F from Book II. Hmm, it seemed like a good idea at the time...

If you're after an idea of difficulty, check the syllabus for Grade VIII from previous years, as well as Dip and LR repertoire lists, as there's usually at least one P&F set.

[VH2]

. . .
For recordings you cant do much better than Angela Hewitt !!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

. . . and a lot of people rave about Glen Gould's recordings, although personally I find them ascetic and soul-less (though certainly interesting from a stylistic point of view). Also, you can hear him humming through some of the recordings which ruins the music for me and drives me nuts: Angela Hewitt is the other end of the scale - warm, alive, fun even: It's hard to believe they are the same pieces of music.

Some of Gould's playing of the 48 is sublime, some is excruciatingly badly conceived, and some is just ridiculous. The humming is unforgivable.

Angela Hewitt is obviouly very good, but others worth listening to are Andras Schiff and Till Fellner.

[agricola]

I think I've had a go at most of them because back in the distant past my piano teacher used to keep me on a constant diet of one Bach P&F, one Beethoven sonata and one piece by John Ireland ! I haven't played any of them for ages but have always had a soft spot for F# major and G# minor from Book 1

[fsharpminor]

I think I've had a go at most of them because back in the distant past my piano teacher used to keep me on a constant diet of one Bach P&F, one Beethoven sonata and one piece by John Ireland ! I haven't played any of them for ages but have always had a soft spot for F# major and G# minor from Book 1

Yes the G#minor in book 1 is excellent , but not easy !

[jch48]

The 48 in my userid is a reference to my love of the WTC (and not the year in which I was born)

[ansatz496]

Some of Gould's playing of the 48 is sublime, some is excruciatingly badly conceived, and some is just ridiculous. The humming is unforgivable.

Angela Hewitt is obviouly very good, but others worth listening to are Andras Schiff and Till Fellner.

I have pretty much the same opinion about Gould, although the humming doesn't bother me - occasionally it seems like the most musical aspect of the performance (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) Schiff's is the only recording I own so I'm the most familiar with it. I find his performances generally good, but a bit straightforward, particularly is some of the more beautiful slow fugues. Overall I would probably rate Hewitt slightly higher than Schiff. I'm curious about Till Fellner since you mentioned him though. I heard him give a recital of op. 109, 110, 111 almost 2 years ago and enjoyed it, though it wasn't earthshattering like great performances of those sonatas can be. I wonder what his Bach may be like.

I think I've had a go at most of them because back in the distant past my piano teacher used to keep me on a constant diet of one Bach P&F, one Beethoven sonata and one piece by John Ireland ! I haven't played any of them for ages but have always had a soft spot for F# major and G# minor from Book 1

The Bach and Beethoven I can understand, but that seems like a LOT of Ireland, though I like him (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) The F# major from book I is lovely, though I prefer the F# major from book II. It seems like a popular choice for students around here.

[agricola]

Yes the G#minor in book 1 is excellent , but not easy !

Yes I've just been re-visiting it with a lot of fumbling around ! That reminded me of two side issues, firstly I can tell that a few more goes and it would all be coming back to me, which shows the value of learning core repertoire as early as possible. Somehow it just sinks into the brain so much more permanently when you're under 20. The other is that if you're thinking about buying the complete WTC be careful to get an edition that suits you. I have two -- the old ABRSM Tovey / Samuel one and Orlando Morgan. They both have drawbacks, so perhaps others can recommend better, more modern editions ?

The Bach and Beethoven I can understand, but that seems like a LOT of Ireland, though I like him (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Yes I thought so too -- it put me off Ireland for life ! I remember that the last straw was "Amberley Wild Brooks" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)