Question
Please write a short 2-page review after either listening to the following CD (available at AU music library or through Spotify, etc) or attending a classical music concert of your choice.
CD: The Gorenman Beethoven Project; Beethoven Piano Sonatas Nos. 1, 2, 3; YuliyaGorenman, piano
Alternatively you could choose to write a review after listening to Bach Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 (available on YouTube and beyond, I’d recommend listening to Andras Schiff because it’s an excellent recording).
The review must include a history of the piece and anything else you’d find relevant and most importantly your own impression and expectations.
Answer
Bach Well-Tempered Clavier, Book One Reflection
András Schiff is a talented pianist and a conductor with a musical prowess that inspires people. Listening to András’ recording leads one to say that he is a reincarnation of J.S. Bach. The Kapellmeister and Johann Sebastian Bach were the brains behind the original drawing and composition of The Well-Tempered Clavier, which they presented to Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen (Bach 180). This first book of 24 Preludes and Fugues became available in 1722 when Bach was Kapellmeister to the prince (Bach 179). The second book completed about 22 years later and contains a further 24, was published in 1744 (Bach 180). Bach also directed his music to youngsters who desired to learn and he introduces The Well-Tempered Clavier with an amazing fugue having a tuneful and clear subject (Bach 182). He composed twenty-four each in different keys that he layered and sequenced over time (Martens 1). Bach is famous too for numerology, a concept that entails encoding numbers and letters into his composition structures (Martens 2). These techniques make music more interesting and appealing.
The pianist András Schiff emerged later and recorded fugues and preludes of Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier. It was at this point that Schiff’s relationship with music changed for the better as he enjoyed performing and perfecting his skills. He however, points out that the music comes with many challenges that at times hinder perfection in his performance. Schiff is a master of Bach who not only plays his music but also lives for it and is a great critical and moral thinker who strives to bring back and maintain ancient classical culture. People can really relate to the piece since it has the potential to captivate an individual’s mind and soul.
András Schiff’s recording is an excellent piece that provides a lot for admiration. Upon watching and listening to András’ video, I saw a remarkable performer who elegantly and confidently graced the stage. He commenced his work with the number 1 prelude of C major that seemed familiar to the audience. The prelude had a simple chord progression combined with extraordinary recurrences both in the beginning and at the end. His performance could serve as a source of knowledge to musicians and listeners who may wish to pursue music as a career. My favorite part of this recording is the fugue’s theme that he composed excellently. At that moment, I wished that I also were able to play music so well that the audience could marvel at and enjoy it.
Schiff’s recording exceeded my expectations. I am normally fond of listening to or watching such types of performance while eating, drinking or playing games to distract myself should I find them boring. I was however, challenged because it was as if I were prepared to listen to András Schiff. As soon as I heard him playing the piano, I dropped everything I was doing and glued my eyes and ears to him. It was as if playing Bach brought the church closer to my house. While I expected to listen to old school music and a symphony meant for older people, I later realized that this piece was for anyone who cared to listen. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier can make a deep spiritual connection for nourishment of the soul. András Schiff possesses an extensive knowledge of the piece, which enables him to play from memory. He is one of the famous interpreters of Beethoven, Schumann, and Bach. The Well-Tempered Clavier is classical music reinvented by András. The piece will always be on my mind because of its influence and beauty. I was excited to listen to this music and never wished for it to stop. Schiff’s way of playing the piano and bringing out a musical sensation impressed me the most as it captivated my soul and deepened my spirituality.
Works Cited
Bach, Johann Sebastian, and Peter Hurford. “Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C major, BWV 564.” Johann Sebastian Bach (1995): 179.
Martens, Daniel Barolsky. “Rendering the prosaic persuasive: Gould and the performance of Bach’s C-minor prelude (WTC I).” Music Theory Online 18.1 (2012).http://mtosmt.org/issues/mto.12.18.1/mto.12.18.1.barolsky_martens.pdf