Read an Excerpt
My First Book of Bach
Favorite Pieces in Easy Piano Arrangements
By DAVID DUTKANICZ Dover Publications, Inc.
Copyright © 2007 Dover Publications, Inc.
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-486-17153-1
CHAPTER 1
Air on a G String
A famous Bach tune, this Air is taken from the Orchestral Suite No. 3. It earned the nickname "on a G String" after it was arranged for violin and could be played using only one string, the lowest one, which is tuned to G. Keep the tempo slow and avoid any temptation to rush.
Affetuoso
from Brandenburg Concerto No. 5
Bach composed six magnificent concertos for the Prince of Brandenburg. This melody is the opening of the second movement of the fifth. It is marked as affetuoso, meaning "affectionate."
Chorale
from Cantata No. 26
A chorale is a work for choir and usually consists of four voices: Bass, Tenor, Alto, and Soprano (in ascending order). In a cantata (a work for voices and instruments), the choir sings a chorale and tells the story. Feel free to pick a voice and sing along!
Menuet No. 1
from Suite in Eb Major
A menuet is a dance in 3/4 time, very popular at the balls and dances that Bach used to perform at. It is usually performed in the middle of a dance suite, after an allegro dance. The slower moderato tempo allows the dancers to catch their breath, and of course, chat with their partners.
Menuet No. 2
from Suite in Eb Major
This melancholic menuet is the second from the Suite in Eb for keyboard. In addition to being a church composer and music director, Bach was frequently in service to many noblemen who asked for new and original music for special occasions and entertaining. In order to provide a full evening's entertainment, he would compose a lengthy suite made up of various dances.
Arioso in G Major
An arioso is a short piece, usually found in a cantata, where a story is sung by a solo singer. Keep the slow Largo tempo consistent, and try to shape the phrases as a singer would.
Aria
from The Goldberg Variations
This charming aria is the opening of the Goldberg Variations, a set of 30 variations based on this piece. It was commissioned by a German count for his court musician, Johann Goldberg. Keep a slow and easy tempo, and gently cradle the melody.
Rondo
from Orchestral Suite No. 2
Rondos were popular movements in musical suites meant to provide contrast and a bit of surprise to the dancing. Certain themes were repeated with new melodies in between, leaving everyone guessing. Keep the tempo elegant and even.
Musette
Musettes are short, dance-like pieces originally written for old instruments that resembled bagpipes and were played outdoors at fairs and festivals. Be sure to contrast the dynamics, highlighting the forte sections in octaves. Keep the tempo brisk – remember, it's a dance.
Sheep May Safely Graze
While most of Bach's cantatas were written for church, there are a few for secular occasions. This popular melody is taken from the Hunt Cantata, composed to celebrate the birthday of a Duke who was fond of hunting. The text of the music evokes the image of a faithful shepherd keeping watch over his flock, who can now safely graze after the hunt.
Adagio
from Concerto for Oboe
This beautiful melody is taken from Bach's Concerto for Oboe. The oboe was a very popular instrument in his time and was frequently found in orchestras and ensembles. Remember, an oboist needs to breathe, so shape your phrases as if you were breathing the music.
Menuet
from Anna Magdalena's Notebook
This charming piece was found in a notebook of music Bach had written for his wife, Anna Magdalena. Some of the pieces were for teaching, but most were small gifts. Keep the mood merry and light.
Gavotte
from English Suite No. 3
This gavotte is taken from the third of six English Suites composed for keyboard. Keep the tempo at a steady and stately pace. When the melody repeats, play forte and don't be alarmed by the distance between your hands
Gavotte
The gavotte is a lively French dance, in which people hold hands in a single file and are led around the dance floor by the first in line. Be sure to contrast the piano and forte sections, and look out for the change in clefs in the left hand.
Bourée
The bourée is a lively French dance in quick double time, danced in beats of two. When playing, emphasize that feeling. Also, follow the dynamics and gradually fade out.
Gavotte
from French Suite No. 5
Before there were radios, DJs, CD players, and MP3s to download, music at gatherings needed to be performed by live musicians. Composers would write collections of various dances, known as a suite, to entertain guests. This gavotte is taken from Bach's French Suite No. 5.
Menuet
from a Notebook for Wilhelm Friedmann Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach had many sons, all of whom were schooled at home in music. Some, such as Carl Philip Emmanuel, Johann Christian, and Wilhelm Friedmann (the oldest) enjoyed careers as composers, performers, and music directors. This menuet is taken from a notebook created for Wilhelm Friedmann that was used as a textbook in the Bach home.
Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor
(opening)
This haunting melody is usually heard in old scary movies and at Halloween. Oddly, Bach had no intention of spooking his audience. Rather, this is a short opening to the Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor for organ. Note in the middle, your left hand will cross over.
Bourée
from Overture in French Style
This dance is taken from the Overture in French Style. Bach wrote it as homage to his favorite French composers, including François Couperin. As much as Bach wrote, he always made an effort to listen to as much as he could. Legend has it that he once walked almost a hundred miles to hear a concert!
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3
(opening)
This excerpt from the Brandenburg Concertos opens with a dialogue between the right and left hand. Keep the tempo steady so that the melody is uninterrupted. Also, use the left thumb on the repeated Ds to ease the right hand.
Prelude in C Major
This charming work is the first prelude from a book called the Well Tempered Clavier. It was written to celebrate a new system of tuning keyboard strings that allowed all 12 keys to be performed in tune. Here's a small trick to learning this piece: most of the measures are repeated. Use this chance to look ahead.
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
This famous tune is taken from a cantata entitled "Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life" and was first performed on July 2, 1723. Notice that there are many shifts in fingers and repeated notes. This makes it easier to play the next phrase by having your hand in position before your fingers play the note.
Wachet Auf
This wonderful melody is taken from a church, and translates into "Sleepers Awake." Keep a firm hold on the tempo – don't let the dips in melody slow you down. For the full effect, use dynamics to contrast different moods.
Invention in C Major
Bach composed 15 short keyboard pieces that he entitled Inventions. These were intended to be used as teaching devices, focusing on different melodic ideas. Notice the repetition of short phrases in the left hand. This echo-like effect is called imitation.
Invention in A Minor
Just like the other Inventions, this one was written to instruct new pupils. Here, Bach presents a challenging arpeggio workout. The music should flow evenly, helped by smoothness in the wrist and fingers.
Invention in F Major
In this piece, Bach makes sure you've been practicing your F major scale and arpeggios. Both hands need to work together to keep the lines smooth and even. Locate the passages of imitation, and be sure that they are echoed properly.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from My First Book of Bach by DAVID DUTKANICZ. Copyright © 2007 Dover Publications, Inc.. Excerpted by permission of Dover Publications, Inc..
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