Bach Fugue BWV 876

[thinkgreenlovepiano]

Ok I'm a bit scared to post this, but I'd appreciate it if you'd listen and give me some advice.
I don't think it has improved at all since I learned how to play all four voices together.   It's the first fugue I've ever learned (technically, BWV 847 was my first, but I only spent a month on it before we forgot about it...)

 The notes aren't all in sync, my pedaling isn't very coordinated, and neither is the page turn...  And my piano teacher hasn't heard it in months because we've been focusing on other stuff...

So... thank you if you listen after my long post of warnings! ...  
If you could offer some advice I'd be really grateful, I LOVE this prelude and fugue so much but I do not like how I'm playing it.

I'm posting two recordings because I get really nervous in front of the recorder (especially near the end, when I start thinking, can I get through this without messing up?) ... so my recordings aren't very consistent.
Hopefully one day I'll post all my pieces when they sound nice

PS: that noise in the background is my turtle tank
 

[pianowolfi]

I think this does already sound very nice! I like your approach

I'd recommend to keep all the longer notes, especially the syncopations and dotted quarters, a tiny bit longer than you do, and I'd recommend a few (slow) practice sessions with a metronome. I notice a tendency to rush. Give yourself time to enjoy this music! Long notes that are to be kept while a different voice does fast movements need special attention! Don't forget that they're there, give them a slight accent and think of them, so you can continue smoothly after the other voice is done with it's solo. Respect the rests, like in M 15, soprano, and at all parallel spots, as you do it very well in M.2, they're very important! Try to relax when all the four voices appear At the moment it sounds like you're slightly panicking when that happens   But there we need to learn to keep the overview and control

[kellyc]

Very nice. for a first effort , but let me say that you sound like your apologizing  in advance and that is not needed at all. You made this truly sound like Bach. It might sound silly but not everyone who plays Bach gets it . I enjoyed your tone very much. So many players feel they must force things and over due it.  What Pianowolfi said was quite true. You are rushing things from time to time and it tends to defeat the atmosphere you are creating as you play. Learn to relax more as you play this. Don't force things. They will come along in there own good time.  Thanks for posting .

Kelly

[juanduran]

It sound very well!  Just mark the theme melody and predominal voices. Very good try!

[thinkgreenlovepiano]

pianowolfi, thank you so much for your comment and advice! I appreciate the help! Yes, I remember my teacher emphasizing holding the long notes to me, as well as respecting the rests. And I'll practise with the metronome. It's funny, when I record, I speed up, but when I play in front of people I tend to slow down. Either way, it isn't good, so it's time to get out the metronome.

kellyc, thank you. I didn't mean to be so pessimistic in my post. I have issues with confidence when sharing my playing with others, unfortunately. And I was just trying to let people know this is definitely a work in progress- because there are so many good recordings in the audition room

Juanduran, thank you for your comment! May I ask what you mean by marking the theme and voices? I mean I made 5 copies of the fugue, 4 highlighting each voice, and one ordinary one... and the subjects and countersubjects are marked in each one. I love my colourful scores