Questions tagged [j-s-bach]
For questions about the composer Johann Sebastian Bach. Do not use the tag for just his works.
99
questions
5
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1answer
131 views
Are there J.S. Bach pieces that do not start with the tonic chord?
I know some simple pieces where the initial phrase starts in the IV chord or the V chord, but I'm wondering if Bach used to do that.
4
votes
1answer
62 views
Tenor part written higher than the Alto part in SATB
I have read that Bach in his chorales wrote the tenor part high (frequently using ledger lines for this). Another source said that the Tenor part would be written higher than the Alto part - for ...
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3answers
43 views
How can one use theory/harmony in order to learn BWV anh 114?
How can one use theory/harmony in order to learn BWV anh 114?
I am only talking about theory/harmony in order to be able to play and memorize this piece.
0
votes
1answer
75 views
Modulation or passing through different keys in the following Bach chorale [closed]
This is Bach's chorale R.80. I want to know if the music has modulated to a particular key in certain, or is it only passing through different keys (and hence not a fixed modulation to only one key)?
0
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2answers
81 views
Chord in Bach's chorale
This is a part of Bach's chorale R.311. I am unsure of the starred chord. It uses a passing note in it as well.
According to me, I think this chord is A°/C, with the D as an accented passing note. ...
3
votes
1answer
86 views
What does the author mean in these examples of chorales & harmony?
This is an example in G major. I am learning about Bach's chorales & how he uses modulation. I came across a page online (choraleguide.com), & in one example given, I couldn't understand what ...
3
votes
2answers
149 views
In one of Bach's works the score forms a cross on the page [closed]
In one of Bach's works the score forms a cross on the page.
I think it's a major choral work. As far as I remember, the crucifixion is being referenced in the words at the same time as the the notes ...
12
votes
4answers
3k views
A♭ major 9th chord in Bach is unexpectedly dissonant/jazzy
Measures 21-24 in Prelude VII from Bach's Well Tempered Clavier I
I was looking at the Prelude VII by Bach and noticed that on the measure 23 Bach ended that phrase with a A♭ maj9 chord. I was ...
4
votes
1answer
98 views
was the 12/16 measure usual in the time of Bach?
We met today this work by Bach with this strange time - strange to me as I've never met before this meter. Of course it is possible ... but I ask if someone knows another composition with this meter, ...
0
votes
1answer
87 views
Labelling chords in Bach's chorale
The image is a part of Bach's chorale BWV 94.8 or R. 291 (image taken from www.bach-chorales.com). I want to confirm the harmony of the 2 chords marked with a star. Is the chord with a blue star A7/C# ...
4
votes
4answers
155 views
How can I learn thoroughbass?
I've done some reading and I've discovered that our modern system of music theory (I'm looking at you Roman numeral analysis) is not the same system that most of the great composers, including the "...
1
vote
3answers
98 views
Music theory for Bach's Inventions
I just got a piano and want to start working on Bach's Inventions. I
have sort of managed to play 2 and 14 some years ago, but my knowledge
of music theory pretty much consists of being able to work ...
5
votes
5answers
2k views
Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor breaks the “no parallel octaves” rule?
I notice in his BWV 565, more well known as Toccata and Fugue in D minor, what looks like a lot of parallel octaves in the fugue. I have studied counterpoint before and every counterpoint resource I ...
1
vote
3answers
104 views
At what tempo would J.S.Bach play his fughettas?
As the title says, I'd like to know at what tempo should J.S.Bach's fughettas be played. I specifically speak about BWV 704 Fughetta: Lob sei dem allmächtigen Gott, but I believe it's applicable in ...
2
votes
2answers
237 views
Is it true that Bach had no concept of suspended chord?
In an answer to a question in SE I read the sentence with the pretension above.
Chord in the Bach d-minor prelude
I think this can be easily be counter-proofed by many examples of Bach’s music and ...
11
votes
2answers
102 views
Notation of triplets in Bach’s *Orgelbüchlein*
In the following piece from J.S. Bach’s Orgelbüchlein, the nearly constant triplet line seems to be incorrect:
The time signature is 3/2, but there are 9 eighth-note triplets per measure rather than ...
1
vote
1answer
126 views
When would Bach start an ornament- just before the beat, or right on it? [duplicate]
In his table (see below) , all examples seem to start ON the beat, not before it.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Bach-ornamentguide.jpg
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0answers
46 views
How would J.S. Bach execute a trill sign that is written over an eighth note?
If Bach's recommendation (as found in his table of ornaments) is to play the first 6 out the possible 8 1/32nd notes for a trill sign written over a quarter note,
then should one try to achieve the ...
4
votes
2answers
172 views
What is this chord in Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2? [closed]
Can anyone tell me what chord Bach notated in the second half of measure 91 in the score below? I can see that the first chord in this measure is FMaj7, which is the end of a circle of fifths chord ...
1
vote
3answers
336 views
Should I practice some J.S. Bach for piano technique and where should I start?
I want to know if playing J.S. Bach would improve my overall piano technique. I look for pieces that help me to become better. I usually play romantic composers. I have played pieces such as
Chopin'...
4
votes
2answers
67 views
How to realize the figured bass of the second movement of BWV 1014?
I am planning a performance of the second movement of Bach's violin sonata BWV 1014 in B Minor. The beginning of second mvt, Allegro is shown below.
As you can see there are some figured bass below ...
2
votes
1answer
113 views
Has the Bach Compendium been completed?
The Bach Compendium (BC) is a multi-volume attempt by renowned scholar Christoph Wolff and others to replace the traditional but obsolete BWV numbering system. It is my understanding that the first ...
2
votes
0answers
68 views
Relationship between “Erwäge” aria of St John Passion and final Chorus of St Matthew Passion
The "Erwäge" aria of Bach's St John Passion is harmonically extremely similar to the final Chorus of Bach's St Matthew Passion (to the extent that when listening to the former, I keep waiting for the ...
15
votes
1answer
315 views
J.S.Bach's organ tablature notation
Is anyone familiar with some freely available guide explaining in detail how to read Bach's organ tablature notation?
Apparently, Bach was very comfortable in using the tablature notation, ...
3
votes
0answers
116 views
Difference between baroque and classical keyboard concertos
I'm trying to compare a Baroque Harpsichord Concerto with a Classical Piano Concerto. But I'm just wondering in what aspects that the Baroque Concertos influenced the Classical Piano Concerto. I am ...
1
vote
2answers
193 views
Boy alto or counter-tenor?
This is a video of Stefan Kahle singing “Erbarme dich” from the Matthew Passion:
My question: How old was he when this recording was made? Is he here still ...
1
vote
1answer
105 views
Have all the possible violin partitas transcriptions already been done? [closed]
I'm curious if there is still room for transcribing some of Bach's partitas for guitar, but have all the good ones that are possible been done already or is there still a multitude of possible ...
4
votes
2answers
179 views
What does +- mean in piano music?
Attached is a picture of one of my piano students' Bach Inventions (BWV 785). What does the +- mean? I've never seen it used before. A precursory search online revealed nothing. Sometimes a + ...
2
votes
3answers
460 views
Did Bach ever use melodic minor keys in chorales?
For example, E Melodic Minor would have C#, allowing for a ii7-V-I cadence.
0
votes
2answers
143 views
How does Bach harmonise chromatics?
The top line is soprano and the bottom line is bass. Is there supposed to be some sort of harmonic function used by Bach by the use of C#?
The key signature is Bb Major, though this passage could ...
4
votes
1answer
225 views
Do Bach Chorales in minor keys ever modulate to the dominant major?
I am wondering if any of you are able to help me with this question regarding modulation. An example would be E Minor to B Major. Does Bach ever use this?
Thanks,
Jack
2
votes
2answers
101 views
Limits of interpretation in timing in a Bach piece
This is a question about a short part in Bach's Partita for Violin (BWV 1004) as played and interpreted by several different artists/instruments,
which can be heard at 19:56 on this Youtube upload.
...
4
votes
1answer
184 views
Regarding the beginning of Gould's B minor fugue, WTC 1, performance
I've listened to Gould's performance of this piece many times, sometimes following the score, and I've noticed that maybe Gould plays this piece wrong at the beginning.
Unfortunately, I am unable to ...
4
votes
2answers
321 views
Should I use the sustain pedal when playing Bach fugues?
I'm Practicing Bach Prelude & Fugue in D . There is no pedal markings since it from Baroque eras , but i found in Youtube many Concert pianist Performing Fugue with Sustain Pedals. Am working for ...
6
votes
2answers
293 views
Is 2 measures sufficient for a fugue subject?
I know what a fugue is. I also have been reading up on the form of the fugue and how to write in counterpoint. I wrote a canon and I have written a sonatina using sonata form. So theoretically a fugue ...
16
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2answers
3k views
Why does Brahms stand next to Bach and Beethoven?
I've often heard the expression, "Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms" as sort of a summary of classical music, or something. I feel that I understand why Bach and Beethoven should serve as pillars of ...
8
votes
1answer
189 views
Why did Anna Magdalena Bach write funny accidentals sometimes?
I'm checking BWV 1004 for a project I'm working on. I sometimes see that Anna Magdalena Bach wrote some veeeery strange flats. For example...
Bars 113 and 114 from Chanonne. Bar 113 has on the bass ...
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3answers
174 views
BWV 1004 - Is there a pause by the end of Ciaccona or is it staccato?
I'm working on a project to set Bach's music on lilypond files (so that people can share and enhance to better match manuscripts). I just uploaded BWV 1004 to the repo but I'm wondering what's the ...
2
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0answers
107 views
Bach's keyboard concertos on fortepiano?
It is known that J.S.Bach was acquainted with the fortepiano at least twice in his life, in 1726 when he played one of Silbermann's experimental models (and mildly criticized it), and toward the end ...
0
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2answers
158 views
What's a beginner piano Bach piece in a minor key? [closed]
I would like to learn how to play Bach on the piano. I'm not really a pianist, more of a guitarist who picked up some keyboards on the way. My left hand playing is non existent, other than playing ...
0
votes
1answer
133 views
Where to find violin hand positions for Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 [closed]
Does anyone know of an edition of the Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 which shows violin fingerings and bowings?
I have a score of the first two movements which I have been learning, but I am new to ...
1
vote
1answer
161 views
Bach Double Variation from Partita 1 for Solo Violin
Has any credible musicologist explained that the double variations in Bach's Partita 1 for solo violin are a variation on the entire harmonic progression from the last movement and not just the bass ...
6
votes
2answers
465 views
J.S. Bach: Prelude #1 for well tempered clavier: mordent
In a book with this piece given to me there is a mordent in tact 34:
on the other hand when I downloaded the piece from the Internet, the mordent at this place was missing:
So, did it exist in the ...
0
votes
2answers
414 views
Difference in technical skills needed for Bach 2 part inventions vs. Clementi Op. 36
I'm not too sure how popular Clementi's sonatinas are (Op 36: http://imslp.org/wiki/6_Piano_Sonatinas,Op.36(Clementi,_Muzio)) but they are all over the Canadian RCM books.
As my previous questions ...
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4answers
3k views
Having significant difficulty with Bach's two part inventions for piano
I'm wondering if there are any pieces I could look at before attempting the inventions. Im working through invention 1 in c major and it's quite challenging for me. I suspect the problem is that I ...
2
votes
1answer
305 views
Is there a compilation of The Well-Tempered Clavier voice-leading reductions?
Reading about Voice leading on the Wikipedia I came across an example of two reductions of a part of the Preludium in C major (BWV 846a) and was puzzled to know if there is a compilation of those ...
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votes
2answers
200 views
On Bach' fourteen canons
I read from this article that
The discovery of the
Fourteen Canons
(BWV 1087)
on the inner side of the back cover of his
own copy (hereafter referred to as the
...
3
votes
2answers
706 views
What is a duplex
In this article Surface Topology in Bach Canons, I: The Möbius strip the author wrote that
Canon 5 is described by Bach as a duplex, a 4: there are 4 voices singing two canons in parallel.
Could ...
0
votes
1answer
424 views
Identifying the harmny of Bach/Gounod's Ave Maria [closed]
Having guitar background, for me it's natural to learn the chord progression of the composition (in C-dur). But there are a few that are hard to identify for me, in the climax parts, marked by ???:
[:...
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2answers
875 views
Double time signature and strange bar notation in Bach
So I have been studying Bach's prelude and fugue in d major of wtc II, where he uses two time signatures for the prelude. What does this mean? I did notice that some of the meqsures are written in a ...
