J.S. Bach ~ Prelude & Fugue XXI in Bb Major, II

  All my video performances of the complete Well-Tempered Clavier are streaming at http://www.christopheroriley.com My 96-episode series of explorations into each of J.S. Bach’s Preludes & Fugues, Everything We Need To Know About Playing The Piano We Learn From The Well-Tempered Clavier, is now available by subscription at Become A Member    

J.S. Bach ~ Prelude & Fugue XX in a minor, II

I will finish recording the last two Preludes & Fugues of Book II this weekend and will roll out the remaining release in this first social-media-shared Well-Tempered Clavier. It’s been a journey, and as I’m continuing my series of lectures on each of the 96 component pieces of the WTC, having just turned in Episodes …

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J.S. Bach ~ Prelude & Fugue XIX in A Major, II

  All my video performances of the complete Well-Tempered Clavier are streaming at http://www.christopheroriley.com My 96-episode series of explorations into each of J.S. Bach’s Preludes & Fugues, Everything We Need To Know About Playing The Piano We Learn From The Well-Tempered Clavier, is now available by subscription at Become A Member  

J.S. Bach ~ Prelude & Fugue XVIII in g# minor, II

This Prelude is the only one of the 48 to have dynamic markings, a presumed poco forte opening modified perspectively by a piano dynamic (echo? solo vs. tutti?). The keening melodic half-steps are noted by slurs more tactile and clung than modern legato. The Fugue I have found the most challenging of all the 48 …

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J.S. Bach ~ Prelude & Fugue XVII in Ab Major

The Prelude begins with a Concerto movement feeling, and its binary form, rare in Book One but generously invoked in Book Two presents an opportunity for embellishment and improvisation. I recorded both of the Ab’s over the course of three days, the two Preludes on the first day. The Fugues took each a full day …

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J.S. Bach ~ Prelude & Fugue XVI in g minor, II

The tragedy and majesty of the g minor Prelude immediately asserts itself. I shape the voices and distinguish them by use of connectivity and discontinuity, the tympanum of the dotted notes riding a spectrum from militaristic to ultra-lyric. The admonishment of repeated notes that make up the 2nd half of the Fugue’s subject is leavened …

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