Bach's Inventions & Sinfonias

[Don]

Some thoughts here from a couple of years back; don't worry though, I'm only being hypercritical, I certainly know all the major keyboard works well

http://www.good-music-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,6393.0.html

I don't share your thoughts.

[Don]

That's sad for you.

No, just on target.  I do greatly enjoy listening to the Inventions/Sinfonias, but I don't delude myself into thinking that they represent the best of Bach.

[sidoze]

That's sad for you.

That's a general miss conception. Those miniatures are among his very best,

what is wrong with people on this forum? Don--and me too for that matter--doesn't hear the same level of inspiration or emotional breadth in them and so it's sad for him and "a general miss conception"? Really, I am glad--like Don I think--that I explore music and interpretations on my own because otherwise I'd be taken in by this muck all day.

[Don]

what is wrong with people on this forum? Don--and me too for that matter--doesn't hear the same level of inspiration or emotional breadth in them and so it's sad for him and "a general miss conception"? Really, I am glad--like Don I think--that I explore music and interpretations on my own because otherwise I'd be taken in by this muck all day.

The muck does fly around here with regularity, so it's always important to pay attention to one's one counsel.

[Josquin des Prez]

BWV.565 is one of the best Bach keyboard works, since it's probably not by him.

The d minor toccata is far, far from being among his best works. And no, the piece IS by Bach.

[Josquin des Prez]

I just don't hear the very high level of inspiration or emotional breadth

The inventions and sinfonias are in no way as grand as the WTC, but they are just as highly 'inspired' (at least on a level with the first book) even if they occupy a smaller dimension. They are miles above some his others works (Toccatas for instance), while remaining wholly underneath in terms of scope. There's a difference between a work intended to fill a reduced space as opposed to one that just isn't as well crafted to begin with. You could apply the same concept to Bartok's Microcosmos, which are superior in terms of technique and invention to his early keyboard works but are not meant to be anything more then pedagogical pieces.

[Josquin des Prez]

what is wrong with people on this forum? Don--and me too for that matter--doesn't hear the same level of inspiration or emotional breadth in them and so it's sad for him and "a general miss conception"? Really, I am glad--like Don I think--that I explore music and interpretations on my own because otherwise I'd be taken in by this muck all day.

Don't confuse Sean with me. He expressed a distaste for polyphony on many occasions so it's no wonder he would flock to those miniatures, since they employ only two or three parts.

[Don]

The inventions and sinfonias are in no way as grand as the WTC, but they are just as highly 'inspired' (at least on a level with the first book) even if they occupy a smaller dimension. They are miles above some his others works (Toccatas for instance), while remaining wholly underneath in terms of scope. There's a difference between a work intended to fill a reduced space as opposed to one that just isn't as well crafted to begin with. You could apply the same concept to Bartok's Microcosmos, which are superior in terms of technique and invention to his early keyboard works but are not meant to be anything more then pedagogical pieces.

I'm not going to continue arguing about the Inventions/Sinfonias with a fellow Bach music lover.  We need to stick together and praise the greatest composer ever.  And I don't confuse you with Sean.  Concerning Bach, I don't think Sean has a clue.

[George]

What about Inventions & Sinfonias, George? Whose recording you preferred?
I only own Schiff & Gould ... i think their both good.

I am not a big fan of those works, but Gould's performances are excellent.

Oh yes! I wonder why there is no Schiff's WTC recording within USA ... it's a pity.
Regarding to Well-Tempered, I only have Gould (CD), Landowska (LP), Schiff (CD), & Tureck(CD).

Feinberg is probably my favorite. You can sample it over at RussianDVD.com.

[PaulSC]

I am a big fan of the Inventions/Sinfonias, and I highly recommend Koroliov on piano and Watchorn on harpsichord.

And Gould on prepared piano. 

[Coopmv]

I am a big fan of the Inventions/Sinfonias, and I highly recommend Koroliov on piano and Watchorn on harpsichord.

And Gould on prepared piano. 

I think Ralph Kirkpatrick and Kenneth Gilbert both have excellent recordings of these works ...

[Bulldog]

I am a big fan of the Inventions/Sinfonias, and I highly recommend Koroliov on piano and Watchorn on harpsichord.

And Gould on prepared piano. 

The best I've ever heard is from van Asperen on Aeolus; the dialogue is always compelling, and I love his subtle use of rubato.

[PaulSC]

The best I've ever heard is from van Asperen on Aeolus; the dialogue is always compelling, and I love his subtle use of rubato.

Thank you for mentioning these, Don. When I was browsing available performances of the Inv/Sinf earlier this year, I skipped right over the Aeolus disc based on its unpromising title/cover. My mistake; van Asperen always deserves consideration, and the performances do seem wonderful based on previews at Amazon. (Besides, "never judge a book by its cover", right?)

Sonically I wish the room weren't so live -- these "lessons" seem to be taking place in the school gymnasium -- but I got used to that within two or three tracks. So many musically persuasive details in these interpretations; for instance, I love the choice of the lute stop for the A minor Invention -- so different from the usual approach to this one.

btw do you have any thoughts on the Korolev WTC 1 I mentioned upthread a bit?

[czgirb]

The best I've ever heard is from van Asperen on Aeolus; the dialogue is always compelling, and I love his subtle use of rubato.

Oh my God!
I know that's the record, which highly recommend by you. I read that it in Bach Cantata.
But the record is impossible to find ... here ... so, wish you can recommend others ... both for Piano and Harpsichord.
Thank you.

[Bulldog]

Oh my God!
I know that's the record, which highly recommend by you. I read that it in Bach Cantata.
But the record is impossible to find ... here ... so, wish you can recommend others ... both for Piano and Harpsichord.
Thank you.

Inventions/Sinfonias:

Piano - Koroliov, Gould, Peter Serkin.

Harpsichord - Gilbert, Verlet, Suzuki, Leonhardt, Jaccottet.

[SonicMan46]

Just starting to add some additional recordings of these works to my collection; for a number of years I had just one:

Peter Watchorn on harpsichord - which I've enjoyed; his liner notes are superlative! But just added:

Elisabeth Joye also on harpsichord and based on recommendations from Antoine & Don in other threads; I see she does not make Don's list for that instrument here?  Her harpsichord is just so warm & lush - I'd probably recommend this version to those who may not be enthralled w/ this instrument - yesterday I compared my two versions on harpsichord and like both (which one to listen to may be a matter of mood?).

Evgeni Koroliov on piano; just obtained this version, again a recommendation in this forum and in this thread - first listen this morning and am certainly pleased about the purchase - thanks for the suggestion!

So now do I need yet another harpsichord version?  If so, may do a MP3 download - need to see what is available?

I also would be curious if anyone has heard the clavichord version by Richard Troeger?   

 

 

[Gurn Blanston]

Well, one can never know, of course, what someone might need... but here is what I have in that regard:



And then this one, which is the only Troeger I have, not inventions:



I like the clavichord, it has a nice homey sound that I imagine to be quite appropriate to old Bach sitting in his rooms working out some polyphony quiz before dinner...

[Antoine Marchand]

So now do I need yet another harpsichord version?  If so, may do a MP3 download - need to see what is available?

Some months ago I recommended this 40-CD set:



... then available for 20 bucks; but that's history now.

That box includes 13 discs by Jaccottet: WTC, Goldbergs, English Suites, etc. and, of course, her superb "Inventions and Sinfonias". 

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

3) What is your favorite Invention and/or Sinfonia?

I've been playing some of these over the last year, so they're close to my heart (or fingers). Above all I like both the F minors (#9). In particular, Sinfonia #9 is one of Bach's most cosmic-sounding keyboard pieces, with an emotional intensity that sounds proto-Romantic.

Invention/Sinfonia #2 is another good choice...but outside of 2 and 9, the remainder of the set don't cut nearly as deep, for whatever reason.

[Que]

I also would be curious if anyone has heard the clavichord version by Richard Troeger?   

I have, Dave, and I wouldn't recommend it. Kinda dull and uneventfull, a lot of legato playing.
I was more postive initially but the enthousiam wore off (check premont's comment further down the same page as that linked post).

Q