One of my favorite preludes and fugues from the WTC.

Recorded at home on my Mason and Hamlin BB.

Hope you enjoy it !!

http://youtu.be/T1twWSrlfa8

Excellent playing! I have a 6 year old BB. Is yours a new vintage or earlier one?

My BB is 9 years old.
I purchased it "new" in 2006.
Thanks for listening !!

That was an an excellent performance! So cheerful, upbeat. Like you, this is one of my favorites in the WTC. Thanks for posting this.

Thanks Chris. Some recordings of this P&F on YouTube are significantly less cheerful and upbeat. I believe that Bach intended a more lively, dance-like interpretation.

One thing that I appreciate so much about your performances is how consistently good they are and that they bear repeated listenings. Wait... That's two things!

This is another one for the album of, "I think I'll listen to Carey again, today."

Well played!!!

--Andy

A great presentation of this P & F, Carey! Coincidentally enough, I played the same Prelude & Fugue for a special upcoming radio program that will be broadcast on Bach's birthday, March 21. It's a local station that will feature local performers presenting Bach throughout the three-hour Classical Music segment of the station's programming. The host stopped by at my place a week or so ago, and we recorded it in one take, with a short interview afterward. I didn't review it, so it should be interesting listening on March 21!

You had mentioned that you sought to emphasize the dance-like qualities, particularly in the Prelude -- and I'm inclined to agree that's probably closer to the spirit of what Bach intended, given that these were intended for presentation on a harpsichord. I confess that, at least on THIS Prelude and Fugue, I've always gravitated to a "singing Bach" conception rather than the "dancing Bach". I stress the yearning vocal line throughout in the Prelude, and I try an present the Fugue as if it were a four-part chorale. In both, I take a VERY slow tempo, relative to the "standard" approach -- but I freely admit, it's not mainstream. This was very joyful, straightforward, clear as a bell -- and thanks for sharing!

very nicely done; crisp & well articulated!

Andy, Tim and Entheo - I appreciate the comments - thanks !!

Tim - I'd love to hear your "one take" recording. Quite frankly, if I had posted my "first take" of the P&F we'd be having a much different conversation right now !!

My intro to this P&F was through a recording by Gould many years ago. His rendition was fast, lively and dance-like. In learning the P&F myself I started out with more of the "singing Bach" approach, but as time wore on (and as I was better able to navigate some of the awkward leaps) I gravitated to the "dance-like" interpretation. Either approach is fine !!!

Cheers !!