Interpreting Bach's Well-tempered clavier : a performer's discourse of method / Ralph Kirkpatrick.
| Author/creator | Kirkpatrick, Ralph |
| Format | Book |
| Publication Info | New Haven : Yale University Press, ©1984. |
| Description | xvii, 132 pages : music ; 22 cm |
| Subjects |
| Contents | The historical approach and its limitations. Origins of the Well-Tempered Clavier, book I ; Meaning of the term clavier ; Origins of book II ; Editions ; Bach's text ; Early and later fashions in playing Bach ; A new search for Bach ; Literature about the Well-Tempered Clavier -- The esthetic approach. The pieces of the Well-Tempered Clavier ; Organization of the WTC ; The WTC and instrumental sound ; Relative validity of varying opinions on the WTC -- The melodic approach. Prelude: eulogy of the human voice ; A note on melodic form ; Intervals and the voice ; Musical intervals within the context of a melody ; Complex organization of intervals ; Essential melody and various levels of elaboration ; Influence of vocal feeling on melodic articulation ; Associative aspects of melody ; Melody at the keyboard ; The concepts of articulation, phrasing, and inflection ; Existing and suggested ways of indicating articulation and phrasing ; The melodic approach to a new piece ; Ultimate inseparability of melody from other musical elements -- The rhythmic approach. Our physical relationship to rhythm ; Some characteristics of meter ; The problem of a distinction between meter and rhythm ; Some elements of rhythm ; The formation of rhythmic groupings, or rhythmic syllables ; Rhythmic polyphony ; Rhythm and imaginary movement ; Summary of essential rhythmic relationships and means of expression -- The harmonic approach. Bach's harmonic style ; Characteristics of vertical combinations of sound ; The chords of thoroughbass, their classification and hierarchy ; Chords and their components in the context of tonality ; Harmonic intensity (or activity), its degrees and distribution ; Diagonal harmonic relationships ; Essential harmonic and tonal progressions and the varying degrees of their elaboration ; Tonal structure, the orientation of a piece as a whole ; The vocal sense of harmony ; The inner harmonic ear, disciplines in sharpening its perceptions ; The expression on keyboard instruments of harmony and harmonic intensities -- The interpretive approach. A backward glance ; The approach through the inner ear ; The technical approach ; The formation of an interpretation ; The later life of an interpretation, or inspiration and its vicissitudes ; Ideals of interpretation. |
| Abstract | This book sets forth the provocative theories of a musician who has been called the outstanding harpsichordist of this century. The late author reveals here his approach to a deeper comprehension of music, showing how his methods are applied to the preludes and fugues of the Well-Tempered Clavier of J.S. Bach. |
| Local note | Little-313202--305131015660V |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| LCCN | 84005811 |
| ISBN | 0300030584 |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music | Closed Stacks - Ask at Circulation Desk | ML410.B13 K57 1984 | ✔ Available | Place Hold |