Best Bach Edition?

[rubbaducky42]

What edition is best for Bach? I prefer Wiener Urtext or Henle.

[quantum]

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. 

[jlh]

I've always used Henle.  That's not to say it's the BEST, but it's good and I've always used it. 

[iumonito]

One more vote for Barenreiter.

[theodopolis]

Without fail, it's the Neue Bach Ausgabe 1971

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

Theo

[quantum]

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). 

[slobone]

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.

[sharon_f]

Another vote for Barenreiter.

[invictious]

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.

[quantum]

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? 

[richard black]

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.

[pita bread]

Tovey and Bischof

[invictious]

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.

[quantum]

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. 

[etudes]

check out one of EMB edited by Bartok,pretty interesting ...he put it in order of difficulty instead of keys like bach
 

[richard black]

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.

[invictious]

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>

[robertp]

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.