BWV 933, Prelude in C Major: how to play the ornament in the fourth measure?

[eric0773]

Hello,

In the following measure, how would you play the ornament?



Is this supposed to be a turn and then a trill? In which case, if I include the small E before the ornament, should it be played as followed: (E) D E D C D E D E D?

I am also confused regarding the timing. Should I complete the trill with the right hand before the left hand hits the second G? And if not, how would you "synchronize" both parts, i.e. play the overlapping section? In my current interpretation of this ornament, if I play the notes as demisemiquavers, I end up neglecting the rest sign before the melody starts again in the right hand.

Thanks by advance for your help.

[virtuoso80]

My first thought is that the turn is for the top note, and the trill for the bottom. This version writes it as a turn for both notes: https://erato.uvt.nl/files/imglnks/usimg/7/7e/IMSLP62062-PMLP08244-Bach-Busoni_BWV_933-938.pdf.

Without further research, I would interpret it as: BD-CE-BD-C(alone)-BD. This follows directions and saves you from having to include the A and complicate the fingering.

As far as rhythm - I would do the grace CE as 16th note along with the low G, and the turn/trill as four 32nd notes along with the LH high G and D, with the final BD as a 16th note, along with the LH B.

I'm not a Bach expert, so hopefully some other opinions will come this way as well.

[eric0773]

Thanks for the insight Virtuoso80, much helpful, I would have never guessed that by myself. The sheet you provide is explicit.

On a side note, it is interesting to see how challenging these ornaments may be. This set is supposed to be for beginners, but playing the trills lightly and in rhythm is very difficult, particularly if you do play the A (which I won't).

[eric0773]

Just out of curiosity, then: if I look at the sheet you provided (below), which includes the more difficult trill, how can one liaise the A (before the trill) and the E (at the start of the trill)?



Seems strange to compromise the fluidity of the music for the sake of a more complete trill. If the fifth finger is left after the A in order to reach the E, the "musical sentence" has a completely different meaning to me.

[j_menz]

I would interpret it as: BD-CE-BD-C(alone)-BD. This follows directions and saves you from having to include the A and complicate the fingering.

As far as rhythm - I would do the grace CE as 16th note along with the low G, and the turn/trill as four 32nd notes along with the LH high G and D, with the final BD as a 16th note, along with the LH B.

FWIW, I agree.

Bach can be a bugger with his ornaments at times!

[worov]

I listened to Angela Hewitt's recording.

I hear only a mordent.