Difficulty of WTC and Partitas?

[maczip]

Please, I need an advice.

I (dilletante) used to study some P&F from WTC I (Bb major without great difficulties; Csharp minor with pretty much effort and difficulties). I would really like to learn Partita No 2, Sinfonia.

What do you think about the difficulties of the mentioned pieces?
Thx

[elenka]

It's less about the difficulty, but the more about the struggling with the piece itsself, looking at the score I think you should not come across many problems...try to have a read of the first measures of the adagio and of some of the other you may see that there's a changing of tempo 2/4, 3/4 and so on and then you'll decide, Bach it's a big deal you have to struggle with whathever you choose of his works... I studied the whole first partita in B flat and I have to say that I struggled much more with the courante than with the prelude F minor n.12 WTC II

[maczip]

Thanks for your answer. Indeed I should simply try. I was wondering because the Partita is rated much more difficult than most pieces in WTC I. The Sinfonia has no fugue though, but at least the third part of the sinfonia should be played very fast.

[quantum]

The third part of the Sinfonia is a fugue. 

Try out a few measures from each section see how it feels to you.  There are other movements of this Partita that could contribute to the difficulty rating that people may assign to it. 

[j_menz]

Thanks for your answer. Indeed I should simply try. I was wondering because the Partita is rated much more difficult than most pieces in WTC I. The Sinfonia has no fugue though, but at least the third part of the sinfonia should be played very fast.

The last part is a 2 part fughetta and really shouldn't be played faster than an allegro moderato IMO.

It's harder than many of the preludes in the WTC, but is no match for the fugues.

[asuhayda]

I find the Bach Suites to be very challenging.. Especially the Partitas.  The problem is articulating clearly.  If you've played WTC pieces.. you will find the Partitas about the same level of difficulty, maybe even a little bit harder.

Partitas are considered to be among the most difficult of Bach's music.. Art of Fugue is also extremely challenging. However, to be honest, I find pretty much all of Bach's music to be incredibly difficult.  It always amazes me how hard I have to practice to learn a single Bach piece.

If you are concerned about the difficulty.. you may want to consider starting with the French Suites. No.5 is lovely and a good challenge, but not ridiculous.  The Gigue is a lot of fun to play.

Best of luck to you!

[maczip]

@quantum and j_menz: this helps a lot. Thanks. I had a very hard time to study c sharp minor fugue in WTC I, and still struggle to get the fast tempo of B flat major fugue in WTC I. For me the Sinfonia of Partita No 2 is one of Bach´s nicest (piano) pieces I always wanted to play. On the other side I do have a precise feeling how it should sound, and hopefully won´t be disappointed, when not reaching this goal. Therefore my question.

French Suite No 5 is a very nice idea I will consider!

[maczip]

correction:
meant @asuhayda (instead of quantum)