[VIDEO] J.S. Bach Prelude & Fuge BWV866

[nathan_qi]

[pianisten1989]

I know it's bach, but what does this mean? There are loads of fast notes in the prelude that doesn't say anything. You bacially hear the right hand, and the left hand isn't the melody of a genius. And it's quite uneven sometimes...

[storyseller]

Hmmm. I just congratulated you about your Beethoven. You understand one B. so well, but you dont seem to understand the other big B. in music. Technically it is brilliant of course but the prelude in not a "Czerny" etude. Especially the big chords in the "second page".... you dont make them sound as important as they should be. Phrasing, dynamics etc. are not to well thought out too.

The fugue sounds better, bright and sunny but still just on the surface. With your ability, technique and hard work I am sure you can do sooooo much better. Noone is impressed today with speed and technique. Now that you can play all the notes easily work on details and the "meaning" of all those notes... I am sure you can do it.

 

[nathan_qi]

Thank you for pointing out the problems. That is exactly what Nathan needs. Nathan is doing a Bach project, which requires him to pick up one Prelude & Fugue every 3 weeks. The training is kind of preparing him for future study on Bach. All of your comments are very helpful as he is going to polish 7 prelude and Fugue in this summer.

[pianisten1989]

Why? I mean, what is the point with that? Bach isn't something you just learn, in a week...?!

[nathan_qi]

I know it sounds crazy. 3 weeks are definitely not enough to play a Bach piece decently. The main purpose of the Bach project is to introduce Bach's Prelude and Fuge to Nathan in an intensive way. During the training, Nathan learns about:
(1) Bach's composing language
(2) Certain rules on Bach's style
(3) Identifying hidden theme in various voices
(4) Playing one voice while singing another one

All those are preparatory works for his future study.  At least, when he revisits these pieces, he doesn't need to fix notes/fingering.

I know some other teachers use similar way for Bach Prelude and Fuge. Two weeks back, I got to know Prof. Braginsky of University of Minnesota. He told me he used to train a 11-yr old to pick up one Prelude and Fuge every week until he finished the first book.