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Bach, Johann Sebastian : Englische Suiten Nr.1 Sarabande

Work Overview

Music ID : 22551
Instrumentation:Piano Solo 
Genre:salabande
Total Playing Time:5 min 00 sec
Copyright:Public Domain

Commentary (1)

Author : Ooi, Kazurou

Last Updated: April 1, 2024
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Note: This article is automatically translated from the original Japanese text. The author of the original work did not supervise this translation.

Since there are many ornaments and frequent small notes (32nd notes), first, set a tempo that allows for playing them comfortably without sounding rushed. A quite slow tempo would be appropriate.

Setting a slow tempo can easily lead to a drawn-out and boring musical experience, so it is necessary to devise a sense of direction and variations in tone quality and volume according to the chords.

For the first half, consider it as two four-measure phrases. The chords used are completely different when playing the theme in measure 1 compared to the same theme in measure 5. Measure 5 features a borrowed chord, followed by B minor in the next measure, and then ending in E major in measure 8. Since the atmosphere between measures 1-4 and measures 5-8 is entirely different, be sure to highlight this contrast. The tension is clearly higher in measures 5-8.

Next, in the latter half, the theme begins from measure 9, which ultimately culminates in measure 21, starting an octave higher, as the peak point. Observing the progression up to that point, one can notice the gradual increase in notes in the left hand. Both hands should crescendo with ascending and descending 16th notes in measure 17, leading towards the peak in measure 21.

Afterwards, the theme returns in A major at measure 25, but here, it should be settled gently and then fade away to the end.

Writer: Ooi, Kazurou