PianoSupplies.com (a division of Piano World) Piano & music accessories, music theme decoratons, tuning & repair tools, moving equipment, party goods,music gift items, ... more
Free shipping on Jansen Artist Benches.
|
|
64892 Members
40 Forums
132559 Topics
1894572 Posts
Max Online: 15252 @ 03/21/10 11:39 PM
|
|
|
#1841433 - 02/09/12 06:10 PM
Re: tempo in Bach
[Re: jnod]
|
5000 Post Club Member
Registered: 12/28/09
Posts: 5782
Loc: Here, as opposed to there
|
In his book "Interpreting Bach at the Keyboard", Paul Badura-Skoda references organ-barrels, a hand turned mechanism that was designed to produce music at the correct tempi. Based on the optimal speed of these organ-barrels, (plus other factors), he hypothesizes that Bach should be played at a faster tempo than what is being performed today.
It's an interesting book but I did not finish it because it was a bit over my head. Organ barrels! First prize for obscure information! I think the issue of tempo is complicated by the fact that some of Bach's keyboard music, or maybe lots of it more like, was written for instruments with more than one keyboard. The technical challenges (especially in the Goldbergs) of rapidly running your hands over each other are likely to keep some pianists from going full tilt on some of these pieces. Keep in mind that there is FAR less resistance on period instruments (Bach, would have a very difficult time with today's piano), thus meaning the tempi probably would be a touch faster, but it wouldn't be a great thing. You're correct in regard that much of Bach is written for multiple keyboards. The WTC, by the way, wasn't written entirely at the harpsichord.
_________________________
"And if we look at the works of J.S. Bach — a benevolent god to which all musicians should offer a prayer to defend themselves against mediocrity... -Debussy
"It's ok if you disagree with me. I can't force you to be right."
♪ ≠ $
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1841435 - 02/09/12 06:11 PM
Re: tempo in Bach
[Re: apple*]
|
5000 Post Club Member
Registered: 12/28/09
Posts: 5782
Loc: Here, as opposed to there
|
I guess the music itself does dictate it's execution, at least somewhat. +1 Absolutely, it does!!!
_________________________
"And if we look at the works of J.S. Bach — a benevolent god to which all musicians should offer a prayer to defend themselves against mediocrity... -Debussy
"It's ok if you disagree with me. I can't force you to be right."
♪ ≠ $
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1841437 - 02/09/12 06:14 PM
Re: tempo in Bach
[Re: Toastburn]
|
5000 Post Club Member
Registered: 12/28/09
Posts: 5782
Loc: Here, as opposed to there
|
Perhaps we have to ditch the notion of a 'correct' single tempo altogether?
I'm not sure that's what anyone was looking for to begin with. There isn't any "correct" tempo, but the CORRECT tempo will be in keeping with the character of the piece.
_________________________
"And if we look at the works of J.S. Bach — a benevolent god to which all musicians should offer a prayer to defend themselves against mediocrity... -Debussy
"It's ok if you disagree with me. I can't force you to be right."
♪ ≠ $
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1841458 - 02/09/12 06:33 PM
Re: tempo in Bach
[Re: stores]
|
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
Registered: 05/29/01
Posts: 14717
Loc: New York City
|
I guess the music itself does dictate it's execution, at least somewhat. +1 Absolutely, it does!!! True for most music(not just Bach) IMO.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1841462 - 02/09/12 06:36 PM
Re: tempo in Bach
[Re: pianoloverus]
|
5000 Post Club Member
Registered: 12/28/09
Posts: 5782
Loc: Here, as opposed to there
|
I guess the music itself does dictate it's execution, at least somewhat. +1 Absolutely, it does!!! True for most music(not just Bach) IMO. Again, absolutely!
_________________________
"And if we look at the works of J.S. Bach — a benevolent god to which all musicians should offer a prayer to defend themselves against mediocrity... -Debussy
"It's ok if you disagree with me. I can't force you to be right."
♪ ≠ $
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1841749 - 02/10/12 08:13 AM
Re: tempo in Bach
[Re: stores]
|
500 Post Club Member
Registered: 04/04/09
Posts: 762
Loc: Toronto
|
Perhaps we have to ditch the notion of a 'correct' single tempo altogether?
I'm not sure that's what anyone was looking for to begin with. There isn't any "correct" tempo, but the CORRECT tempo will be in keeping with the character of the piece. A consensus here might be that while there there are most definitely incorrect tempi (and we could all list examples) the correct ones lie in a range. This range is dictated by the music itself in that the various themes and voices need to be discernible. Another influence is the artistic intention - loosely translated as taste - of the musician.
_________________________
Justin
-------
Bach English Suite #5
Scarlatti Sonata K141 . L422
Mozart Sonata K333
Schubert Impromptu opus 90 D899
Schubert Moment Musicaux opus 94 D780
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1842031 - 02/10/12 04:27 PM
Re: tempo in Bach
[Re: jnod]
|
Full Member
Registered: 09/07/10
Posts: 216
Loc: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
|
A consensus here might be that while there there are most definitely incorrect tempi (and we could all list examples) the correct ones lie in a range. This range is dictated by the music itself in that the various themes and voices need to be discernible. Another influence is the artistic intention - loosely translated as taste - of the musician. I agree, and IMO you've nicely summarized the various points from the contributors.
_________________________
A perennially hopeful amateur!
Pianos: Boston GP178, Lipp 1899 upright
Currently attempting: Bach: WTC I/1,5;II/12; Chopin Polonaise in A; Brahms Op 118 No 2 Intermezzo in D; Scarlatti Sonata L23.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1842107 - 02/10/12 06:02 PM
Re: tempo in Bach
[Re: jnod]
|
5000 Post Club Member
Registered: 12/28/09
Posts: 5782
Loc: Here, as opposed to there
|
Perhaps we have to ditch the notion of a 'correct' single tempo altogether?
I'm not sure that's what anyone was looking for to begin with. There isn't any "correct" tempo, but the CORRECT tempo will be in keeping with the character of the piece. A consensus here might be that while there there are most definitely incorrect tempi (and we could all list examples) the correct ones lie in a range. This range is dictated by the music itself in that the various themes and voices need to be discernible. Another influence is the artistic intention - loosely translated as taste - of the musician. That's not a bad way of putting it. As for "artistic intention/taste" it should always serve the music first and foremost.
_________________________
"And if we look at the works of J.S. Bach — a benevolent god to which all musicians should offer a prayer to defend themselves against mediocrity... -Debussy
"It's ok if you disagree with me. I can't force you to be right."
♪ ≠ $
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1842293 - 02/10/12 11:56 PM
Re: tempo in Bach
[Re: stores]
|
2000 Post Club Member
Registered: 01/09/10
Posts: 2145
Loc: Rockford, IL
|
stores--
Please see my comment to you in MarkH's "French Suites" thread in Member Recordings. I am being a pest!
--Andy
_________________________
1940 Lester Spinet 1933 Schiller Console 1903 Haddorff Upright Pianos follow me home in reverse chronological order. OT, old news, still relevant: http://youtu.be/I4KIkOzw4XM
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
Del.icio.us
|Contact |
Privacy | Legal | About Us | Site Map | Free Newsletter | Press Room |
Previous Topic
Index
