48 preludes and fugues from memory in 2 months: week 3 *Vote your top 3 P&Fs*

[will335]

Poll topic: It's only because I'm curious - whats everyone's top 3 preludes and fugues?

Top 10 so far (last updated -  Aug 03)

1st  -  Eb major II -  21st  -  G minor I  -  23rd  -  A minor II  -  13rd  -  Ab major II  -  13rd  -  B minor I  -  13rd  -  Bb major I  -  13rd  -  Bb minor I  -  13rd  -  Bb minor II  -  13rd  -  C major I  -  13rd  -  C major II  -  13rd  -  D major II  -  1others 3rd: E major II (1), F major II (1) , F minor II (1), F# major I (1), F# minor II (1), G# minor II (1)

This is a list of the P&Fs I have learnt and recorded:

P&F I: C major - recorded: prelude & fugue
P&F II: C minor
P&F III: C# major - recorded: prelude & fugue
P&F IV: C# minor
P&F V: D major - recorded: prelude & fugue
P&F VI: D minor
P&F VII: Eb major
P&F VIII: Eb minor - recorded: prelude & fugue
P&F IX: E major
P&F X: E minor
P&F XI: F major
P&F XII: F minor
P&F XIII: F# major - recorded: prelude & fugue
P&F XIV: F# minor - recorded: prelude & fugue
P&F XV: G major

Main topic: Some of you may have seen this thread in the piano world forums – I’ve decided to spread my wings with this project!

Ok, to make a long story short, I have always wanted to learn the entire well tempered clavier from memory and I decided to use my free time this summer and finally do it!

I worked out that the project would begin on the 9th July 07 and finish on 9th September 07 giving me one day short of 9 weeks – this means that I should learn about 5-6 preludes and fugues a week. Because I had already learnt about 10 or so P&Fs, I had kind of had a head start but now I’m really working through it.

The whole point of creating this topic was to (hopefully) attract some interest in my project – comments, suggestions, tips, recording requests, critiques, even recordings of others playing for discussions on interpretation.

To keep the thread alive, I’m going to be posting recordings of any of the P&Fs that people request and I hope this will encourage people to give me their most brutal of critiques because I need this kind of feedback to fuel my determination to complete this project!

So please everyone post like mad!

[furtwaengler]

A worthy and noble cause, and truly inspiring that you've taken the initiative to complete it. I had never heard of the piano world forums, but did track it down and find your thread. I'd say even if you were far behind at this point, with 6 weeks to go, one could offer the "encouragement" that Sviatoslav Richter learned them all by heart in a single month!

[Nightscape]

You must be a very advanced pianist to perform this feat!

Good luck to you.  I am also learning them all, but at a much much slower rate (one a month).

[ted]

What Will modestly doesn't mention is that he has also simultaneously been learning and playing a swag of other pieces written by members on another thread on that forum. These include three of mine which had only handwritten scores and are not particulaly easy to say the least.

[furtwaengler]

What Will modestly doesn't mention is that he has also simultaneously been learning and playing a swag of other pieces written by members on another thread on that forum. These include three of mine which had only handwritten scores and are not particulaly easy to say the least.

And reading the thread on the piano world forums, notice in addition to the WTK and the piece's Ted's mentioned, he's also mastering the Russian language! I'm suddenly feeling not so great about my lazy summer.

[will335]

I wouldn't say mastering the language, my Russian girlfriend has a hard time talking to me in English all the time so it's only fair I make an effort.

Keep an eye out for a recording of that etude Ted, I looked at it again today - I might be able to finally record it today.

I've decided to start an informal poll - whats everyone's top 3 preludes and fugues?

[landru]

Since my random shuffle on iTunes was playing a very nice prelude and fugue when I clicked on your message - I thought that was a sign I should nominate it: Book II - No. 11 in F major.  The version I have is by Vladimir Feltsman who has a very nice touch for Bach.

Good luck on project it sounds incredible! And incredibly difficult - how are you going keep all those voices in your head without going crazy?

[franz_]

I really like the one in A minor WTCII.
Also the one in G minor. WTCI.

[will335]

Since my random shuffle on iTunes was playing a very nice prelude and fugue when I clicked on your message - I thought that was a sign I should nominate it: Book II - No. 11 in F major.  The version I have is by Vladimir Feltsman who has a very nice touch for Bach.

Good luck on project it sounds incredible! And incredibly difficult - how are you going keep all those voices in your head without going crazy?

I already am crazy 

Thanks for the vote - I'll record f major II when I get to it as well. Thanks!

[will335]

I really like the one in A minor WTCII.
Also the one in G minor. WTCI.

I'm probably going to change my mind next week as to my top 3 but I'm going to say
1 - Ab major bk II
2 - G minor bk I
3 - F# major bk I

[franzliszt2]

WILL!! (eyes look through the kitchen window) you may have guessed who I am lol. If you are the Will I am guessing you to be hello!!! I use this acount which is my mates sometimes to amuse myself lol.

I'm guessing you are the Will I know because of Russian gf and 48 preludes and fugues lol. Guessed who I am? hint I lived with you all year! haha

My favourite p&f is bk 2 D major no.5.

[sharon_f]

Currently my 3 favorites are the last three I learned. 

WTC II, #1 in C major, #7 in E-Flat and #12 in F minor.

[Nightscape]

I like C major Book I, F# minor book II, and Bb minor book II.

[iumonito]

Sounds like fun.  Once you memorize them, it still takes a lifetime to get to know them.  Kind of like yourself.  Have fun!

My three most beloved:

B Minor Book I
E-flat Major Book II
B-flat Major Book I

The other 45 I love just about the same as these three. 

I have a project for your next summer:  Scarlatti.

[will335]

(eyes look through the kitchen window)

Hey! There was only 3 people that ever did this - James, Adam and the other guy, you must be Adam (Unless you're James!?). Hows it going, what you learning this summer? Hope you can 'egg me on' with the Bach lol

[will335]

I have a project for your next summer:  Scarlatti.

I was thinking Beethoven Sonatas... Scarlatti the year after maybe.

[dnephi]

My favorites are Bk 2-E Major, bb.  Bk 1- a.

[prongated]

...G# minor, bk II and Bb minor, bk I...

[franzliszt2]

lol you guessed correctly Will. I am the one who did not get expelled from halls! Kep it up with the Bach!! I expect to hear them all in September 

I wish I had Bach, my summer is all Gaspard de la nuit and Chopin etudes lol. How are you finding the p&f@s? You done no5 from bk 2 yet? Thats a monster lol. I have some incredible fingerings if you want them  Hope you are well!!

[will335]

My favorites are Bk 2-E Major, bb.  Bk 1- a.

Ok so 1 of your favourites is E major bk 2, does the next bit mean Bb minor bk 2 and A minor bk 1? Sorry you have to spell it out fo me.

[will335]

Unfortunately, this website doesn't seem to work too well on my computer - it also keeps crashing everytime I try to edit my posts. So I will continue this thread here only