Invention No. 1

[cosine]

Okay, if you go look at Bach's Invention No. 1 under the free sheet music here the autograph manuscript clearly as the sixteenth note triplets in the opening theme in the first measure. Why then is the sixteenth note theme, as seen on the other two versions, played more often or seen more often. Which is right?

[steve jones]

If I understand you correctly, you're talking about the little trills?

Some versions give a lower tempo and direct you in specific ways of playing these parts. Other versions give a higher tempo and put less emphasis on the ornaments. I believe both can be considered correct, just different ways of playing the same pieces.

Bernhard actually wrote quite a detailed post about this topic, so might be worth doing a search.

[cosine]

I mean that if you look at the manuscript score for download here the second beat of the first measure is made up of sixteenth note triplets, while the other two scores have just four regular sixteenth notes.

[mcgillcomposer]

Bach wrote two versions of this invention.  Google it for more info...I don't have time at the moment...sorry!!!

- Andrew

[BoliverAllmon]

yep two versions.

[timland]

The Alfred Edition has both versions. The one with the triplets is from the Friedemann manuscript 1723.

[cosine]

Thanks for the replies. I don't know why I didn't think of something as simple as "maybe he wrote two different versions." Doh.

[contrapunctus]

Also remember, generally in Bach, if there are triplets you don't play them how you would in romantic period music. For example, if you have 3 on 2, you might play the first two notes of the triplet quicker that than the third note so that everything is on beat.
(this is terrible explanation, but oh well, it is late)

Gould used elements from both versions in his recordings.

[cosine]

Also remember, generally in Bach, if there are triplets you don't play them how you would in romantic period music. For example, if you have 3 on 2, you might play the first two notes of the triplet quicker that than the third note so that everything is on beat.
(this is terrible explanation, but oh well, it is late)

Gould used elements from both versions in his recordings.

I've never heard of this. Could you explain more when your more alert? Does anyone else have any comment about this that could help me?

[contrapunctus]

I've never heard of this. Could you explain more when your more alert? Does anyone else have any comment about this that could help me?

There is an explanation in the beggining of the alfred edition.

It is like this:
                          oo  o        or this:      o  oo
                          o    o                       o    o

Instaed of this:
                             o o o
                             o   o