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Piano Board => Repertoire => Topic started by: rubbaducky42 on June 09, 2007, 03:05:00 PM

Title: Best Bach Edition?
Post by: rubbaducky42 on June 09, 2007, 03:05:00 PM
What edition is best for Bach? I prefer Wiener Urtext or Henle.
Title: Re: Best Bach Edition?
Post by: quantum on June 09, 2007, 05:29:10 PM
I prefer Barenreiter.

I like the Alfred edition of the Inventions.  It's a good intro to Bach for those who need to know his style more. 
Title: Re: Best Bach Edition?
Post by: jlh on June 09, 2007, 07:58:37 PM
I've always used Henle.  That's not to say it's the BEST, but it's good and I've always used it.  :)
Title: Re: Best Bach Edition?
Post by: iumonito on June 09, 2007, 10:52:15 PM
One more vote for Barenreiter.
Title: Re: Best Bach Edition?
Post by: theodopolis on June 12, 2007, 04:12:12 PM


Without fail, it's the Neue Bach Ausgabe 1971

Can't beat the clarity - and it's the most musicologically sound by far

Theo
Title: Re: Best Bach Edition?
Post by: quantum on June 12, 2007, 08:20:28 PM

Without fail, it's the Neue Bach Ausgabe 1971

Can't beat the clarity - and it's the most musicologically sound by far

Theo

Of which is Barenreiter's source (more or less). 
Title: Re: Best Bach Edition?
Post by: slobone on July 04, 2007, 06:38:07 AM
I'm using Henle for the Goldbergs and it's well laid out and easy to read. BUT -- the fingerings are often bizarre and I have to cross them out and pencil in my own.

Also they don't really tell you how to play the 2-manual pieces on the piano, but I guess I can't really fault them for that since it's an Urtext.

Oh, and there's no ornamentation guide which is a real nuisance.
Title: Re: Best Bach Edition?
Post by: sharon_f on July 04, 2007, 11:03:07 AM
Another vote for Barenreiter.
Title: Re: Best Bach Edition?
Post by: invictious on July 04, 2007, 01:13:29 PM
For DipABRSM, I am required to use Henle.

Cursings! Those 4 part fugues are a pain to read. It's just so confusing! The parts constantly cross staves, and it happens ALL THE TIME.
MEH
MAH
HELP!

I checked the Barenreiter, and it's..well..readable.
Title: Re: Best Bach Edition?
Post by: quantum on July 04, 2007, 05:25:51 PM
For DipABRSM, I am required to use Henle.

Cursings! Those 4 part fugues are a pain to read. It's just so confusing! The parts constantly cross staves, and it happens ALL THE TIME.
MEH
MAH
HELP!

I checked the Barenreiter, and it's..well..readable.

Does the syllabus actually say you must use Henle? 
Title: Re: Best Bach Edition?
Post by: richard black on July 05, 2007, 10:11:35 PM
By far the most interesting Bach edition for pianists is the Busoni edition published by Breitkopf. Loads of fascinating annotations, suggestions for interpretation and study, even the odd transcription thrown in. I wouldn't necessarily suggest it as the only edition one should have on the shelf, but any Bach collection is the poorer without it.
Title: Re: Best Bach Edition?
Post by: pita bread on July 06, 2007, 04:39:38 AM
Tovey and Bischof
Title: Re: Best Bach Edition?
Post by: invictious on July 06, 2007, 12:02:37 PM
Does the syllabus actually say you must use Henle? 

Yes, or the examiner will think I have played with mistakes or whatever (some discrepancies such as the ornamentations)

meh.
Title: Re: Best Bach Edition?
Post by: quantum on July 06, 2007, 01:58:27 PM
Yes, or the examiner will think I have played with mistakes or whatever (some discrepancies such as the ornamentations)

meh.

I think this is an absurd requirement.  If any restrictions should be made they should have at least cited the Neue Bach Ausgabe.  It is the current authoritative scholarly edition of Bach. 
Title: Re: Best Bach Edition?
Post by: etudes on July 06, 2007, 02:13:15 PM
check out one of EMB edited by Bartok,pretty interesting ...he put it in order of difficulty instead of keys like bach
 8)
Title: Re: Best Bach Edition?
Post by: richard black on July 06, 2007, 09:35:13 PM
Quote
For DipABRSM, I am required to use Henle.

That's a suggestion, not a requirement. They can't tell because there aren't enough giveaway differences - it's not as if the actual _notes_ are different and most of the ornaments are to an extent discretionary anyway.
Title: Re: Best Bach Edition?
Post by: invictious on July 07, 2007, 02:23:47 AM
That's a suggestion, not a requirement. They can't tell because there aren't enough giveaway differences - it's not as if the actual _notes_ are different and most of the ornaments are to an extent discretionary anyway.

Generally speaking, when some authority _recommend_ you something, you are required to adhere to the recommendation, for they could do all sorts of things.
Notwithstanding the fact that I'd be wasting money on appealing.

Besides, it's Hong Kong, the crappiest places for music. If I don't use  Henle for the toccatas, then it's Schirmers.
Anyone>
Title: Re: Best Bach Edition?
Post by: robertp on July 07, 2007, 03:59:28 PM
Second the recommendation for Busoni as a supplement. Very pianistic in its ideas and fingerings. Wouldn't do for one's only edition -- but when I run into a problem, often Busoni either has the answer or points the way to an answer.