Andras Schiff is always worth listening to when he plays Bach, and I’ve grown to like piano Bach better than harpsichord Bach. Nice to imagine what Bach would have made of a modern piano. Invention 6 is really very beautiful played very slowly, more like an air than an invention. Also worth trying number 1 with triplets substituted for each instance where there’s a third interval in the sixteenth note pattern - really fun to play. Are you playing from a version that has fingerings? If not, they are worth seeking out. Even if you disagree with the fingering choices, it gets you to wrestle with them more, usually to your advantage.
Second the comment about Schiff! I just finished watching a recording of Schiff lecturing on the Goldberg Variations followed by a full playing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz4jLkfmIhc), very interesting and beautiful. He has a religious devotion to Bach's work, combined with deep intellectual understanding.
When I was young, I associated the piano with over-wrought romanticism and church hymns, so had a dislike for it because of that. The harpsichord for me was interesting because I could focus on the rhythms and harmonies of Bach's music, and leave those associations behind. It was hearing Gould play Bach on the piano that made me start appreciating the piano more, and now it's definitely my preference.
Interesting! When you see Schiff in recital, he’s clearly using some pedal when he plays Bach - strictly speaking, a no no. But with great subtlety. I have found that the discipline required in avoiding the pedal has really improved my fingering skills when playing other composers.
I spent a year (on and off) memorizing and learning the inventions, both for my fingers and my brain. They're not easy!
Wow, that C minor performance is really slow; I like it to burble along a lot more. What you're hearing is that it's mostly a canon, the left hand imitating the right hand exactly with a delay of 2 measures; then the hands reverse lead and follower roles after the piece has modulated. Perfectly constructed.
My favorite of the inventions is the E major, which to me is an achingly romantic pas de deux between the two hands. (Yes, very slowly!) Number two is probably G minor, with such dextrous chromaticism. But they're all masterpieces, and I wish that the student repertoire included more than the four or so you always hear (C major, D minor, F major, A minor).
When I went around looking for performances that matched the way I thought of these pieces, I really liked Dina Ugorskaja's recording.
To me what the harpsichord & clavichord lose in dynamic variability (vs piano) they gain in the vivid overtones and crunchy intervals of unequal temperament—so different keys really do sound very different!
The two-part inventions are just delightful. I got to know them through arrangements for two clarinets published in a popular lesson book for intermediate players. Back in my teaching days, my students and I used to love ending lessons by playing one of them all the way through.
Keep playing, Evan! I started brand-new on piano 4 years ago at 38 YO (like learning to read music and find middle C start...) and mannn was it frustrating. Pro tip: NEVER watch the "I started piano a year ago" progress videos. But now I'm playing Schubert Impromptus, Debussy pieces I only dreamed off, Chopin nocturnes. So much joy and satisfaction! It just takes consistency and deliberate practice.
And if it's too frustrating, at least you kick ass at writing. Loving your voice and humor mixed in with all the great info on Bach. Keep it up!
There just isn't enough time in the day to study two things deeply as an adult with all our other responsibilities, right? FWIW, here's the post I wrote about learning piano as an adult. Mostly it has come down to consistency and deliberate practice. https://www.traipsingabout.com/2022/10/27/how-i-learned-to-play-piano-as-an-adult/
Andras Schiff is always worth listening to when he plays Bach, and I’ve grown to like piano Bach better than harpsichord Bach. Nice to imagine what Bach would have made of a modern piano. Invention 6 is really very beautiful played very slowly, more like an air than an invention. Also worth trying number 1 with triplets substituted for each instance where there’s a third interval in the sixteenth note pattern - really fun to play. Are you playing from a version that has fingerings? If not, they are worth seeking out. Even if you disagree with the fingering choices, it gets you to wrestle with them more, usually to your advantage.
Second the comment about Schiff! I just finished watching a recording of Schiff lecturing on the Goldberg Variations followed by a full playing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz4jLkfmIhc), very interesting and beautiful. He has a religious devotion to Bach's work, combined with deep intellectual understanding.
When I was young, I associated the piano with over-wrought romanticism and church hymns, so had a dislike for it because of that. The harpsichord for me was interesting because I could focus on the rhythms and harmonies of Bach's music, and leave those associations behind. It was hearing Gould play Bach on the piano that made me start appreciating the piano more, and now it's definitely my preference.
Interesting! When you see Schiff in recital, he’s clearly using some pedal when he plays Bach - strictly speaking, a no no. But with great subtlety. I have found that the discipline required in avoiding the pedal has really improved my fingering skills when playing other composers.
Thanks Susan. Yes, my giant Schirmer edition has fingerings! They're mostly agreeable...
I spent a year (on and off) memorizing and learning the inventions, both for my fingers and my brain. They're not easy!
Wow, that C minor performance is really slow; I like it to burble along a lot more. What you're hearing is that it's mostly a canon, the left hand imitating the right hand exactly with a delay of 2 measures; then the hands reverse lead and follower roles after the piece has modulated. Perfectly constructed.
My favorite of the inventions is the E major, which to me is an achingly romantic pas de deux between the two hands. (Yes, very slowly!) Number two is probably G minor, with such dextrous chromaticism. But they're all masterpieces, and I wish that the student repertoire included more than the four or so you always hear (C major, D minor, F major, A minor).
When I went around looking for performances that matched the way I thought of these pieces, I really liked Dina Ugorskaja's recording.
Thanks for this color, Dan. I will check out Ugorskaja's recording!
To me what the harpsichord & clavichord lose in dynamic variability (vs piano) they gain in the vivid overtones and crunchy intervals of unequal temperament—so different keys really do sound very different!
The two-part inventions are just delightful. I got to know them through arrangements for two clarinets published in a popular lesson book for intermediate players. Back in my teaching days, my students and I used to love ending lessons by playing one of them all the way through.
Nice. My dad recently has been sending me youtube videos of Bach performed by groups of recorders of different sizes...
Keep playing, Evan! I started brand-new on piano 4 years ago at 38 YO (like learning to read music and find middle C start...) and mannn was it frustrating. Pro tip: NEVER watch the "I started piano a year ago" progress videos. But now I'm playing Schubert Impromptus, Debussy pieces I only dreamed off, Chopin nocturnes. So much joy and satisfaction! It just takes consistency and deliberate practice.
And if it's too frustrating, at least you kick ass at writing. Loving your voice and humor mixed in with all the great info on Bach. Keep it up!
Thanks for this — very kind Dakota. I’m enjoying my big project and I know I have to devote more dedicated time to the piano.
There just isn't enough time in the day to study two things deeply as an adult with all our other responsibilities, right? FWIW, here's the post I wrote about learning piano as an adult. Mostly it has come down to consistency and deliberate practice. https://www.traipsingabout.com/2022/10/27/how-i-learned-to-play-piano-as-an-adult/
This was great.