Johann Sebastian Bach
Invention 4
in D Minor

This invention is a great example of Bach's ability to mix simplicity with sophistication, extracting a beautiful musical creation out of an extremely basic idea.

ID: 85
Johann Sebastian Bach - Inventions:

Invention 4
BWV 775

Key: D Minor
Year: 1723
Level: 5
Period: Baroque
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Sophisticated simplicity

The first two measures of this invention is nothing but a d harmonic minor scale from d to c sharp, with the c sharp displaced an octave down to add a more interesting and expressive interval. Then Bach adds two simple broken chords, d minor and A7 to complete a subject and countersubject that has enough musical substance to form the basis of the whole invention. Using sequences and inversions (transposing the subject and turning it upside down) Bach creates a stirring, wave-like piece. The interplay between smooth legato sixteenth-notes and springy, dance-like eighth-notes pulls the music forward. The long trills, appearing in both hands, are an exciting feature.

Background

The Inventions were originally written as "Praeambula" and "Fantasiae" in the Klavierbüchlein für Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, Johann Sebastian's eldest son, and later rewritten as musical exercises, designed to help students obtain a singing style of playing, but also to give them "a strong foretaste of composition". Both the two-part Inventions and the three-part Sinfonias are arranged in order of ascending key, each group covering fifteen major and minor keys.

Practice & Performance Tips:

As you learn each invention, try to locate all the subjects, which might appear transposed. Practice the inventions hands separately. Try to memorize each hand first, in order to develop independence and touch control. Strive for an even playing. You may want to practice each voice (or each hand) non-legato first. Double check that your fingers are always relaxed before and after playing each note. Practice slowly!

There are many ways to choose a fingering, but one of the best fingerings for the beginning of this invention (mm. 1-2) is 2-1-2-3-4-5-1-5-4-3-2-1). The left hand (mm. 3-4) can use the following fingering: 5-4-3-2-1-2-5-2-1-2-3-4).

The time signature is 3/8, with three eighth notes per beat. However, the harmony changes at every downbeat. This is what we call harmonic rhythm. Try to analyze each measure harmonically and write down the chord in between the staves. For example, the first measure implies a D minor chord while the second measure implies an A Major chord. In the third measure, the left hand uses imitation and repeats the same notes (and therefore the same chord) of m. 1. The right hand outlines a D Minor chord too!

Look at mm. 9-10 (right hand). These two measures form a sequence, which is a repeat of... Sign up for a Gold membership to read the practice tips.


Forum posts about this piece:

university audition level? by taraweaver
Hello! I may be applying to study music composition at universities in a couple years. I was wondering what level of pieces are expected to ...

Trills in Invention No.4? by maplecleff1215
I'm tackling Bach's Invention No.4, and I'm struggling with the trills. I'm trying to play them two per eighth note as i...

Please help me, readers of Chuan C. Chang's book!!! by jacobsterling
Hi everyone, A few days ago I finished reading Chuan C. Chang's book "Fundamentals of Piano Practice" and I really liked it ...

Trills in Bach Inventions No 4 in D minor and No 7 in E minor by shaunarundell
I have come back to these inventions as I want to improve my long trills and both these rather famous inventions have a number of multi-bar ...

Notes to Bach Invention No. 4 by Eins
I've got to start somewhere, so why not start with the right piece! Where can I find Bach's Invention No. 4 to print? Preferrably ...


Member's recordings of piece:

Bach - Invention #4 by deandeblock
Hi all, after a looooong trip to Brazil I am back home and back at it with the piano First up is the fourth Invention by Bach in D minor....

Invention no 4 by faa2010
Played by memory.  Still in the process of improving. Messed up in some parts. Suggestions and comments are always welcome....

DUEL/ pianogeek_cz vs. arensky, Bach Invention 4 by arensky
Oh no, here I go  :o...

Bach: 2 part Inventions 1, 2, 4, 8, added 11, 12, 13, 14 by piano121
Here are my interpetation on Bach´s 2 part inventions.  Coments most welcome....

Some more Bach inventions by davidz
Hello all, Here are some more Bach tracks recorded at my friend's house. Regards, David...

Bach Inventio no. 4 by lucasdopandeiro
Hi everybody! Here is me playing Bach's two-part invention number 4, the one in D minor. I'm expecting comments, please, don'...

DOWNLOAD Invention in D Minor No. 4 by Johann Sebastian Bach (published in 1723) . High quality classical piano scores from the Piano Street sheet music library.
Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the prominent composers active in the Baroque era, has written this piece titled Invention No. 4 in D Minor from Inventions. The composition is categorized as "Polyphonic, Piece" in Piano Street's sheet music library and the level of difficulty is 5.