Good first Bach WTC?

[kelly_kelly]

I've never played a Bach Prelude and Fugue set, though I've always wanted to. Since I don't really have much repertoire at the moment, I thought this might be a good time to begin one. To give an idea of what I can play, I'm currently working on the first two Barber Excursions and Ravel's Valses Nobles et Sentimentales. In the recent past I have played Beethoven Op. 14 no. 2 and the first movement of Schubert D. 537. I'm ashamed to say I haven't played much Bach except the prelude to the second English Suite in A minor.

My favorites from the WTC include:

WTC I: C# major, Eb major, D# minor, E major,  G major, A minor
WTC II: C# minor, F minor, F# minor, A minor, B minor (these are fewer because I'm - unfortunately - not as familiar with WTC II)

Bolded are my two overall favorites. But though these are my top choices, I'm willing to settle for other pieces if the ones listed here are out of my league. Any suggestions/recommendations would be greatly appreciated

[Alde]

Before the WTC you really should first work on the two part inventions and then the sinfonias.

[kelly_kelly]

I have worked on several, just not recently.

[allemande]

Well, considering you have already worked on a few 3 part inventions and this is your first WTC prelude and fugue, I would stay away from the C# major, the Eb major, the G major, the d#/eb minor, and the a minor ones. Haha, sorry if it's a bit discouraging, but there are a few prelude and fugues that are more accessible than those.

No. 9 in E major (in your list) is a good option, but No. 5 in D major is easier, and so is No. 2 in C minor. No. 3 has a beautiful and fairly easy prelude, but the fugue is a lot harder. Also, no 10 in e minor is about the same difficulty as the E major one.

It's your choice, but regardless of difficulty, there are prelude and fugues that are a lot more complex than others, and are to be studied and played after seeing some of the "simpler" ones.

[kelly_kelly]

Well, considering you have already worked on a few 3 part inventions and this is your first WTC prelude and fugue, I would stay away from the C# major, the Eb major, the G major, the d#/eb minor, and the a minor ones. Haha, sorry if it's a bit discouraging, but there are a few prelude and fugues that are more accessible than those.

No. 9 in E major (in your list) is a good option, but No. 5 in D major is easier, and so is No. 2 in C minor. No. 3 has a beautiful and fairly easy prelude, but the fugue is a lot harder. Also, no 10 in e minor is about the same difficulty as the E major one.

It's your choice, but regardless of difficulty, there are prelude and fugues that are a lot more complex than others, and are to be studied and played after seeing some of the "simpler" ones.

That's exactly the kind of reply I wanted! I figured a lot of the ones I liked were too difficult, but I put them out there just for the sake of it. I think I'll probably go for E major or C minor then. The others can wait 

[jlh]

That's exactly the kind of reply I wanted! I figured a lot of the ones I liked were too difficult, but I put them out there just for the sake of it. I think I'll probably go for E major or C minor then. The others can wait 

Check out No. 18 in G-minor from bk. I as well.  Nice one to start out your WTC journey.

https://server3.pianosociety.com/protected/bach-bwv863-pfaul.mp3

[kyliec]

Hi,
I have played the F Minor P&F from book 2 for my AMEB grade 8 exam. It is a gorgeous piece. I certainly found it challenging as my first real taste of counterpoint (yes, one of those people who managed to avoid the 2 and 3 part inventions!). Having said that, not impossible by any means. The fugue is one of Bach's more straighforward ones and a good introduction.

I'm currently working on the G major P&F from book 1 for my AMEB A. Mus. exam. I have been focussing on the fugue and it is significantly more complex than the F minor. However doing the F minor prior has prepared me in terms of voicing, what parts to emphasise, etc.

Both the prelude and the fugue have been particularly useful from me to develop finger independence, flexibility of the hand and ability to voice distinct parts.

Hope this is helpful,
Kylie

[ahvat]

 I'm soo in this forum, I'm going to WTC soon. But I'm still on the inventions

[kelly_kelly]

Check out No. 18 in G-minor from bk. I as well.  Nice one to start out your WTC journey.

https://server3.pianosociety.com/protected/bach-bwv863-pfaul.mp3

Do you mean G minor (No. 16) or G# minor (No. 18)? I like both Funnily enough, I seem to recall playing a version or the G minor arranged for orchestra and transposed to A minor sever years ago.

[jlh]

Do you mean G minor (No. 16) or G# minor (No. 18)? I like both Funnily enough, I seem to recall playing a version or the G minor arranged for orchestra and transposed to A minor sever years ago.

G# minor No 18 is what I meant. (I think that's what I said as well Either would be great if you like both though. A minor huh?  Guess someone thought Bach made a mistake?

[kelly_kelly]

G# minor No 18 is what I meant. (I think that's what I said as well Either would be great if you like both though. A minor huh?  Guess someone thought Bach made a mistake?

Haha, I guess A minor was an easier key for a crappy string orchestra? This was for my school orchestra when I was in 7th or 8th grade, so Regardless, yes you did say No. 18, but you said No. 18 in G minor, which confused me, and the link didn't play on my computer, so 

[jlh]

Haha, I guess A minor was an easier key for a crappy string orchestra? This was for my school orchestra when I was in 7th or 8th grade, so Regardless, yes you did say No. 18, but you said No. 18 in G minor, which confused me, and the link didn't play on my computer, so 

Oh I see. yeah my bad I left out the #. 

[communist]

C minor, D major, E minor and C major