I know ive heard people say that you shouldnt use pedal in bach, but how much is too much/or how much is too little? Last time I performed a bach piece I used very little pedal (maybe in about 3 bars or something) and it just sounded absolutely dreadful!
Also, another thing I was wondering about was use of dynamics. I was trying not to exaggerate them, wasnt playing any really loud fortissimos, or really quiet pianissimo's, but whatever I did, it just sounded kinda plain and boring.
I tried to be as authentic as I could, playing on a modern instrument (steinway model D, i think), but maybe I dont understand his style enough, or know enough about instruments of that period, what they would have been capable of, how it would have been played then, or something???There was a very long pause before anyone clapped after I played. I kinda got the impression that they (audience) were thinking something along the lines of "what on earth was that".
How should Bach be played??? Also, can anyone recommend any books, websites etc.
The piece was the chromatic fantasy and fugue in d minor, if that helps/ if any one can offer advice on that piece in particular....

Hi Chopet
A couple of suggestion about Bach for you

Paul Badura-Skoda Interpreting Bach at the Keyboard (Clarendon press Oxford 1992)
Rosalyn Tureck An introduction to the Performance of Bach (Oxford University Press, 1960)

Plus try and get hold of some back copies of the Piano magazine (published by Rhinegold) Email them and see if you can buy them. They are very helpful.

Volume 8 No 4 July/August 2000 Playing Bach A performers' Symposium
Volume 12 No 3 May/June 2004 (covers similar ground but updated)

These articles are VERY illuminating as they take the form of an interview with different well known performers giving their own take on interpreting Bach.

It is hard deciding how to play Bach on a modern piano - I think this makes his works even more interesting. Don't shy away from forte in Bach - just don't be too loud! Contrasting dynamics are fine. Pedal within limits is also fine. Be careful not to muddy the contrapuntal nature of the work though.
As you are not playing on the instrument of his day personally I wouldn't try and imitate it. Try and get as close to his musical and interpretive intentions but on the piano.

I think you are being harsh on yourself re the clapping. Sometimes when music is very involving it takes the audience a while to clap - they are enjoying the moment!

hope this is of some help.

The Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue is a particularly difficult piece I seem to remember - haven't played it in years but I remember a piano lesson I had with my piano teacher when I really struggled with the interpretation of it. It may well be that the audience also struggled to understand it, as it's long and intellectual and enigmatic (maybe not the right word but I mean difficult to understand...) - I think it was probably the piece and not you! Plus sometimes an audience can find it difficult to break into the silence when a performer has just finished......

For my Allemande in grade 8 I didn't use pedal at all, except at the end of one bar where I had to turn the page. For a lot of Bach that I've played I've actually found that it sounds nicer without pedal, less distorted more natural etc.
As for dynamics, obviously on a piano they vary so I just keep to how I play naturally, and get louder and softer according to the notes...

As it is so easy to muddle the counterpoint, I don't tend to use the pedal in Baroque music.

True a Steinway Grand and a Harpsichord are very different instruments, but I like a clarity in my Bach and Handel which is quite achievable on a Grand piano. Why not expoit the piano's other attributes rather than muddying the water by using the pedal.

A really good way to understand the style of any sort of music is to go and listen to it: not just the piece you want to play but Bach's works in general, and the works of other composers who wrote at that time. Listen to several different pianists playing the pieces and also performances on period instruments to see what it's like. Different people have different ideas and you will get a really good general feeling of style from this .

I'd say a key thing to focus on in Bach (other than what has been mentioned already) is articulation (and if you're feeling adventurous ornamentation). The instruments used at the time didn't have much (if any) dynamic range so articulation was very important in achieving variation and emphasising certain parts. Add this to the features of the modern piano that you choose to take advantage of (definitely do some dynamics).

I'm sure the clap just seemed like a long time because you were on the stage waiting for it, don't worry about that .