Bach

[david456103]

Why do "big" competitions and college auditions ALWAYS require a prelude and fugue from WTC by Bach? Is there something special about the WTC? Does it demonstrate anything about your musical ability? I find Bach's music so boring and I was just wondering why there is this always this specific requirement.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I find Bach's music so boring

We have a mutual hatred for Bach...  I have a feeling we're gonna get along REALLY well...

No but yeah, apparently Bach is supposed to demonstrate how clear your playing is.  Notes, rhythm, pedaling, everything.

[j_menz]

Is there something special about the WTC? Does it demonstrate anything about your musical ability?

Short anser is that the WTC is widely considered a foundation document of western music; that said, there are a number of other pieces that require the same skills and would probably show them off adequately. The WTC, though does this in a particularly nice way, and very clearly.

In addition to what rach said above, it also demonstrates your ability to interrelate several things which are going on at the same time. An ability to do that is essential to an adequate approach to most of the repertoire and the WTC is a bit like a microscope on your abilities in this regard.

[asuhayda]

It's the old testament of keyboard music...'nuff said! 

[scherzo123]

You know Bach, you know piano.

[j_menz]

You know Bach, you know piano.

Nonsense. His father knew him and never even saw a piano.

[davidjosepha]

Nonsense. His father knew him and never even saw a piano.

Dot

Dot

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Dot

[symphonicdance]

For teenagers, Bach's music is usually boring, and it means exercise usually.  For the more mature piano lovers, Bach's music is fairly musical and often spiritual.  If some one can really plays Bach's P&F so beautifully and touching, then he/she is certainly a master of piano.  Ordinary people may not notice the difference between a master and a student.  However, the audition examiners would likely could see the difference, and yet the potential in the student.  Just my silly thoughts.

[elenka]

Why do "big" competitions and college auditions ALWAYS require a prelude and fugue from WTC by Bach? Is there something special about the WTC? Does it demonstrate anything about your musical ability? I find Bach's music so boring and I was just wondering why there is this always this specific requirement.

If you show that you can master a work by Bach it means that you can master poliphonic composition and all its parts...In Italy as I've already said in another post, is considered the real and unavoidable school for a pianist who wants to ge the best technique skills, if you can play Bach very well, then Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin will be easier to understand when you'll meet some poliphonic chunks in their pieces

[asiantraveller101]

For teenagers, Bach's music is usually boring, and it means exercise usually. 

Not true if Bach is introduced amicably in the first place. Such hostility towards Bach is usually due the teachers' own bias, and students' lack of exposure/understanding. Personally, I always show my students the beauty of the musical construction, structure, and architecture in Bach's music; demonstrating to them how each element in the piece is put together. Moreover, Bach has some of the most gorgeous melodic lines too.
In reference to the OP, WTC is usually required because the pieces are short and concise (generally), and the judges want to see how contestants deal with polyphony. It is an important technique in piano playing.

[asuhayda]

If some one can really plays Bach's P&F so beautifully and touching, then he/she is certainly a master of piano.  Ordinary people may not notice the difference between a master and a student.  However, the audition examiners would likely could see the difference, and yet the potential in the student.

I whole-heartedly agree with this! 

Perhaps one day, I may endeavor to call myself of a master of piano. But, I'll probably die of old age the day after...

[scherzo123]

Nonsense. His father knew him and never even saw a piano.

I hope you were kidding, because what I meant was that Bach is a fundamental in building up piano technique.

[j_menz]

I hope you were kidding, because what I meant was that Bach is a fundamental in building up piano technique.

On that we are agreed. That said, there is more to piano than Bach.