Thread: Your favourite Bach pieces on piano?

Originally Posted by Olias

I know some will disagree with me on this and that's okay, but I can't listen to any Bach on the modern piano. His music was written for harpsichord, clavichord, or organ, and to hear Bach's music played on an instrument that did not exist in Bach's time to me is like listening to Beethoven on an electronic synthesizer.

Totally disagree, I must add: even Bach would disagree with this sentiment.

Bach's music was not necessarily written for harpsichord, clavichord, or organ specifically. That was why there were arrangements of his music, by himself, for other instruments or groups of them. I can certainly imagine that Bach would love to try his music on piano, even with original, non-arranged version.

For now, I think Goldberg Variation is no way worse on piano than on harpsichord. Try listen more, and you will get the feeling.

The Well-Tempered Clavier, books I and II. Followed by the Partitas BWV 825-830. Not quite as big a fan of the Goldberg Variations as many others here, I do enjoy them and as impressive as the work may be, I personally get more enjoyment out of listening to many of his other keyboard works.

Just everything that GG played.

Harpsichord forever. As Wanda Landowska said to Pablo Casals "You play Bach your way and I'll play him his way". However, it needs to be remembered that the Fortepiano was invented during Bachs lifetime (1721) and he probably heard of it if not heard it himself.

Thomas Beecham
“The sound of a harpsichord – two skeletons copulating on a tin roof in a thunderstorm. ”

The harpsichord is a great instrument. I'd say listen to both versions. Some suit the piano pretty well though.

Originally Posted by Olias

I know some will disagree with me on this and that's okay, but I can't listen to any Bach on the modern piano. His music was written for harpsichord, clavichord, or organ, and to hear Bach's music played on an instrument that did not exist in Bach's time to me is like listening to Beethoven on an electronic synthesizer.

I think Bach did know of the newly invented instrument 'the piano-forte', but wasn't very impressed. The Goldberg Variations work quite well in piano versions like the Perahia and Hewitt ones I own. The Well-Tempered Clavier is excellent with Richter. I still love the original harpsichord also, especially Kenneth Gilbert's Well-Tempered Clavier.

Originally Posted by ComposerOfAvantGarde

Just everything that GG played.

Amen.

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Originally Posted by Vaneyes

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Wow! That is a true Treasure Coffer!

I agree that most of the piano performances of Glen Gould are wonderful.

Just to mention some: The concerto series from BWV 1052 through 1056 & 1058.

Anything played in any other instrument except the harpsichord or organ, it is not original Bach. It is a sort of transcription, even if it sounds "better" (a subjective attribute) on modern pianos. Whether Bach would had approved it, it would have been a speculation of no value at all. If Bach lived in another era, probably, he would have never composed anything of his output.
In any case, to answer the original question, there is no actual "favourite piece" for me. I rely compeletely on the liberties of the great pianist involved in each case, since in piano versions, what matters is the pianist, not...Bach! In addition, the recordings involved (how detailed, brilliant, etc).
So, for those who find attractive GG (I don't), anything l'enfant terrible has played is a gem, even if it is a less intertesting work of Bach.
I'm looking forward to the newly released Well-tempered Clavier with A. Schiff on ECM. Mostly out of curiosity, secondly because of the reputation of the wonderful productions of the excellent label and, to some extent, on account of the very good pianist.

Principe

Has anyone ever tried to play Chopin or Liszt or even Beethoven on a harpischord? I played the Chopin A major polinasse. It just doens't work tonaly. Thr very rich and complex sound of the harpsichord was very jarring against the Chopin harmonies and full handed chords. Much as i like the harpsichord, I think the invention of the piano and the development of the cast iron frame and tripple stringing etc. opened the way for more complex harmonies and tighter harmonies starting in the Romantic period.

Originally Posted by tdc

The Well-Tempered Clavier, books I and II. Followed by the Partitas BWV 825-830. Not quite as big a fan of the Goldberg Variations as many others here, I do enjoy them and as impressive as the work may be, I personally get more enjoyment out of listening to many of his other keyboard works.

I too prefer WTC to Goldbergs. I have Jeno Jando doing them on piano. Very fine. Prefer that to Gould's Goldbergs.

We must remember that Bach's favourite keyboard instrument in his day was the clavichord. Not only did he love the intimate sound, but he loved its ability to produce dynamics. I'm sure he would be pleased as punch with a clavichord-like instrument with full concert volume.

Yes, Beethoven had a fortepiano, but it was still very different from the piano we have today. Yet nobody says "I refuse to play classical unless someone provides me with an authentic fortepiano." No, they are content to play it on our modern instrument. It should be the same with Bach. I love period instruments and still think that they should be used, but I also think that playing Baroque music on the modern piano is very rewarding.

I got this Gould Well-Tempered complete. A sony 4 disc recent re-issue. Got it for 10 from an Amazon seller 'new', 12.50 with shipping total. Be here soon I hope...



Very fond of my Richter set, I need the reference though.

Stick with the harpsichord.

Originally Posted by neoshredder

Stick with the harpsichord.

As I've said, big fan of the Kenneth Gilbert set, but I'm not a purist. At least you'd probably agree that the price was right. Not so usually with the Gilbert set, this steams my arse!

I know there's a recently released harpsicord WTK Complete set on the Capriccio label, if I'm not mistaken, very affordable; I'm very seriously considering it. Seems well reviewd on Arkiv also, not yet on Amazon.