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Topic: urtext bach  (Read 2566 times)

Offline dj

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urtext bach
on: January 21, 2005, 03:22:01 AM
can anyone tell me of any editions of the WTC that are urtext? i have the hardest time figuring this out while shopping online! thanx :)
rach on!

Offline steinwayguy

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Re: urtext bach
Reply #1 on: January 21, 2005, 04:31:28 AM
www.henle.de

where I get all (or most) of my music.

Offline SteinwayTony

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Re: urtext bach
Reply #2 on: January 21, 2005, 04:43:19 AM
I own 3 editions of the WTC, which are Dover, Henle, and Wiener Urtext.  They're all urtext, but each has its strong points.

Dover is a completely unedited facsimile of the Bach-Gesellschaft edition, no fingering, no tempo markings (though there are recommendations from the English scholar Tovey), nada, nothing.  It's a great value...you get books I and II for around $15.

Henle editions can always be counted upon for crisp, clean engraving.  The cream-colored pages are easy on the eyes...and when you're ripping your hair over a fugue for hours on end you're going to want that.  Includes minimal fingering markings.  They only sell the two books separately, so the whole set will run you about $60.

Wiener Urtext can be inconsistent when it comes to clarity, but it's usually quite good.  You will usually find more fingering in WU editions as well.  But the real reason I buy them is for the critical commentary in the back, which is always fantastic.  WU editions are slightly less expensive than Henle, but not by much.  I think the WTC goes for $25 a book now.

The Bischoff editions of Bach are always celebrated in the pedagogical scene, so that is another edition to think about.  I believe Kalmus publishes them.  However, I'm unsure if this is an urtext editions or not.

Offline SteinwayTony

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Re: urtext bach
Reply #3 on: January 21, 2005, 04:44:32 AM
Oh, and get any of them for cheap at www.burtnco.com.

Offline Hmoll

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Re: urtext bach
Reply #4 on: January 21, 2005, 03:56:28 PM
The Henle edition is fine. The best edition is probably the Neue Ausgabe from Breitkopf und Hartel.

Don't get hung up on the word "urtext."
"I am sitting in the smallest room of my house. I have your review before me. In a moment it will be behind me!" -- Max Reger
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