Bach - English suite no 2 in a minor

[fnork]

I've been working on this suite now for about 4 days except for the prelude which I kind of knew before, but I thought I'd share this work in progress. I'm learning the whole suite so expect more recordings of this later... I thought it would be fun to post something although these recordings aren't of highest quality in playing - there are a bunch of mistakes, mostly in the prelude.

Let me know what you think, feedback is always welcome!

[pianokid16]

not bad. keep it up. is ur name jacob by any chance?

[jakev2.0]

HEY!!! Armand?!

THIS - is Jacob. You know how shy I am in front of an audience, heh. I haven't touched this piece in about a year (which amounts to roughly 1/2 my time studying the piano). I'm currently working on some fugues from WTC. 

PS: Post your Liszt Rhapsody, already! 

@fnork: Not bad. You really oughta iron out the wrong notes, and rhythmic hiccoughs in the Prelude - this can be remedied easily by practicing slowly (hands seperately if necessary). I'm sure it will be quite something in another four days.

[pianokid16]

jacob! i love this piece. i might learn it later on. dude i had to discontinue learning the h.r 2 liszt cuz i had to continue working on a grade ten repertiore. right now im working on the pathetique sonata, claire de lune, bartok romanian folk dances, and im also going to play the ballade for the exam. sry it took me so long to respond. all the best.

[letters]

the preludes a bit relentless.... does it have to go that fast? but you play it much better than me! perhaps some more dynamics?

[gyzzzmo]

Sorry i cant be very enthousiastic about the prelude.
A bit too fast if you ask me, lack of dynamics and the melody line only seems to be in the right hand.
Good finger training though 

[steveie986]

I listened to the prelude. You picked quite an ambitious Gouldian tempo. I like it! The lack of the left-hand voice may be the fault of the recording technology. Your technique is solid! The music really swings, like all good Bach!

However, I don't like your pause at 1:29 and the left and right hands don't match up properly in the next few bars. You also ignore the beat for some reason at random places (not a big deal, just use a metronome). I recommend you listen to Glenn Gould's interpretation of this suite. The way he transitions into that gentle interlude (1:29 in your recording) is simply heartbreakingly beautiful. Work on that transition at 1:29 - for some reason I think it's the climax of the whole thing.