The Well-Tempered Clavier: Book 1 Part 1
Sun Oct 24, 15:30 - Fri Oct 29, 23:00
Event is online
ABOUT
The Well-Tempered Clavier: Book 1 Part 1
Tinus Botha - piano
Sunday 24 October 2021
Book one of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier was composed in Köthen in 1722. Although Bach was not the first (or only) composer to have the idea of writing a set of pieces in all the major and minor keys, it is safe to say that his two sets of preludes and fugues have towered above all others. These pieces inspired countless composers who came after him, and are still studied today – very nearly 300 years after they were written –as models of contrapuntal mastery. In this concert, the first of a series of four, the first 12 preludes and fugues will be presented. When embarking on an endeavour such as performing the complete Well-Tempered Clavier, many questions come to mind. Is it acceptable to play these works on a modern piano? Should one use pedal? At what point does rubato become too “Romantic”? Do you really think you can offer a view that is better than that of Schiff/Hewitt/Barenboim/Richter/Nikolayeva/Fischer et al.? Possibly most importantly, is this the excuse that I have patiently been waiting for to buy a powdered wig? Perhaps only two of these questions have straightforward answers.
Join pianist Tinus Botha online on the 24th of October to hear the first half of Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1, and to collectively contemplate the questions above as well as the many others that arise.
Die Wohltemperiertes Klavier: Boek 1 Deel 1
Tinus Botha - klavier
Sondag 24 Oktober 2021
Die eerste boek van Johann Sebastian Bach se Wohltemperiertes Klavier is in 1722 in Köthen gekomponeer. Alhoewel Bach nie die eerste of enigste komponis was wat die idee gehad het om ’n stel stukke in al die majeur- en mineurtoonsoorte te skryf nie, toring sy twee stelle preludes en fugas hoog bo ander pogings uit. Hierdie werke het vele komponiste geïnspireer, en word steeds vandag (amper 300 jaar later) as modelle van kontrapuntale meesterskap bestudeer. In hierdie konsert, die eerste in ’n reeks van vier, sal die eerste 12 preludes en fugas voorgespeel word. Wanneer ’n mens jou op ’n tog begewe soos om die volledige Wohltemperiertes Klavier uit te voer, ontstaan daar ’n aantal vrae. Is dit aanvaarbaar om hierdie werke op die klavier te speel? Is die gebruik van die demperpedaal toelaatbaar? Hoeveel rubato is té “Romanties”? Dink jy regtig dat jy dit beter kan doen as Schiff/Hewitt/Barenboim/Richter/Nikolayeva/Fischer et al.? Dalk die belangrikste, is hierdie uiteindelik die verskoning waarvoor ek al jare wag om ’n gepoeierde pruik aan te skaf? Net twee van hierdie vrae het maklike antwoorde.
Sluit aanlyn aan by pianis Tinus Botha op Sondag 24 Oktober en luister saam na die eerste helfte van Bach se Wohltemperiertes Klavier Boek 1, en besin saam oor die bogenoemde vrae, sowel as vele ander.