Group-journey threw J.S. Bach - Two and three part inventions!

This thread is a group-thread dedicated to J.S. Bach Two part inventions. The point is that we can discover them and go deeper into them together, and motivate each other in the prosess of learning and practicing them. 

Who is this for? This is for everyone who wants to join! 
What's the goal? You define your own goal, with how much you want to learn. But try to commit to learn 1, 2, 3, or how many you like. Share your goal with the rest of us! 

Why learn two and three part inventions? In Bach's own words (of course translated to english) "Honest method, by which the amateurs of the keyboard – especially, however, those desirous of learning – are shown a clear way not only (1) to learn to play cleanly in two parts, but also, after further progress, (2) to handle three obligate parts correctly and well; and along with this not only to obtain good inventions (ideas) but to develop the same well; above all, however, to achieve a cantabile style in playing and at the same time acquire a strong foretaste of composition."

Some recording links on Spotify: 

Glenn Gould 

https://open.spotify.com/album/42SxOjm6223yaSs0vH9Um6?si=z91-IcooSq6o3vQ4ny5zyg

Jansen/Rysanov/Théeden https://open.spotify.com/album/2607OCLeDNFKNOO01OVd9P?si=uxSNmxM2Rle_SKYUpLLGyQ

András Schiff 

https://open.spotify.com/album/7B6F306xdRIC0A1Rka5cbg?si=J6mliKjDTk2h2gw9p91Rog

 

Resources on Tonebase: Magdalena Stern-Baczewska Course: Intro to J. S. Bach’s Keyboard Music

https://app.tonebase.co/piano/home?tbModal=courseModal&tbModalSlug=magdalena-stern-baczewska-intro-to-bachs-keyboard-music-pt&currentSearchModalTab=all

 

Ben Laude Live session: Bach Invention No. 1: Analysis for Performers

https://app.tonebase.co/piano/live/player/bach-invention-1-ben-laude

 

For everyone joining: Please make a post of your personal goals threw this journey. Remember every goal is fine! I hope participants will share video-updates regularly, so we can follow each others progress! 

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    • Judith
    • Judith
    • 1 yr ago
    • Reported - view

    Oh my gosh!  You all are amazing!  I just joined, and find myself woefully behind. And, definitely not at all of your levels. Our piano club dissolved over COVID, and I’m lost. But I need a break from Chopin right now, and need to focus again on technical work. I’m not sure I can do 15 in 15 weeks (certainly not to tempo some of them). But I need a goal. Maybe 8. I’ll try.  Ok resolution number one, January 2nd. 

    Like 3
    • Judith Hi Judith! Glad to meet you here on the inventions thread. I'd like to think of it as everyone being in different parts of the same beautiful journey. Look forward to hearing you play :)

      Like 1
  • Yunchan Lim gave a recital at the Wigmore a few days ago and played Bach's sinfonias. I thought of this group :-)

    The link is below in case you're interested.

    https://youtu.be/Z-glLml5OKQ?t=729

    Like 4
    • Leah Olson Yes! I heard it on Youtube! Wonderful playing! Thanks for sharing it here, Leah! 

      Like
  • Hello, my beautiful Bach team mates!  How has everyone been on their piano journey?

     

    Since the Sinfonias by Bach are also sometimes known as 3 part inventions and they were composed for similar purposes as the inventions, and I have been missing this group thread so much, I'll post Bach's Sinfonia no. 2 in C minor here, just for fun! 

    Like 8
    • Natalie Peh Beautiful!

      Like 1
    • Natalie Peh Love the piece and your playing! Great to keep this thread going 😊

      Like 1
    • Vidhya Bashyam thanks, Vidhya! 

      Like 1
    • Andrea Buckland thanks,  Andrea. I totally agree, it's quite a charming little piece! 

      Like 2
      • Juan Carlos Olite
      • Philosophy teacher and piano lover
      • Juan_Carlos
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      Natalie Peh Your playing is delicate and beautiful! Thank you Natalie for encourage us to return to these Bach pieces. Of course, we should explore the Sinfonias together!

      Like 2
    • Natalie Peh That was so beautiful, Natalie! Thank you for continuing the thread with a 3-part invention! It was always the plan to move on to the Sinfonias, so this is perfect. 

      Like 3
    • Juan Carlos Olite yes! Let's play the Sinfonias too! I never looked through the Sinfonias when I was playing the first few inventions, even though they were in the same book, but I was pleasantly surprised to find some gems! 

      Like 1
    • Sindre Skarelven  thanks! I am so glad that this thread continues on! It would so much fun to listen to different pianists' playing the sinfonias- the possibilities for interpretation and bringing one's style to the piece are endless! 

      Like 1
      • Gail Starr
      • Retired MBA
      • Gail_Starr
      • 1 yr ago
      • Reported - view

      Natalie Peh So lovely!  I love your light touch and phrasing.

      Like 1
    • Gail Starr thanks, Gail!  

      Like
      • Roy
      • Royhj
      • 11 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      Natalie Peh beautiful :) sad but calming...
      I'd be really happy if this thread is revived. I was on a long break from playing and returning just now (and saw the new level system on tonebase).

      Like 1
    • Roy thanks, Roy! This thread remains open, so please feel free to post whenever you please :)

      Like 1
    • Juan Carlos Olite
    • Philosophy teacher and piano lover
    • Juan_Carlos
    • 11 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Hello, Bach Team Friends!

    Inspired by Natalie initiative and because I missed this group thread too..., here my contribution: Sinfonia nº 11 in G minor. A beautiful piece and what a pleasure to play it.

    Like 7
      • Roy
      • Royhj
      • 11 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      Juan Carlos Olite Beautiful indeed, thanks for sharing :)

      Like
    • Juan Carlos Olite Very beautiful! Enjoyed the calm and contemplative G minor!

      Like
    • Juan Carlos Olite Beautiful, Juan Carlos! You were missed! 

      Like
    • Juan Carlos Olite I'm so thrilled that you have posted a sinfonia! That was mesmerising! I love what you have done with gently rolling the phrasing from one voice to another. Absolutely gorgeous!

      Like
      • Michelle R
      • Michelle_Russell
      • 11 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      Juan Carlos Olite So lovely! Thanks for posting.

      Like
      • Juan Carlos Olite
      • Philosophy teacher and piano lover
      • Juan_Carlos
      • 11 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      Roy Thank you, Roy!

      Like
      • Juan Carlos Olite
      • Philosophy teacher and piano lover
      • Juan_Carlos
      • 11 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      Vidhya Bashyam Thank you, Vidhya! It's the best music for the mind!

      Like
      • Juan Carlos Olite
      • Philosophy teacher and piano lover
      • Juan_Carlos
      • 11 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      Andrea Buckland Thank you very much, Andrea!

      Like
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