Two Part Inventions: Urtext with fingering

by Johann Sebastian Bach, Victor Shevtsov (Editor)

Bach composed Two Part Inventions in Kothen (before 1723) for teaching purposes, particularly his eldest son Wilhelm Friedemann. The earliest copy of this work, supposedly written by Bach's own hand, is found in the Wilhelm Friedemann Clavierbuchlein (Piano Notebook), started on January 22 1720. The Notebook contained two-part pieces, Preambulum, which were later named as Inventions. In Bach's copy of 1723 he prefaced the collection of Inventions and Sinfonias with these words: "Honest method, by which the amateurs of the keyboard - especially, however, those desirous of learning - are shown a clear way not only to learn to play cleanly in two parts, but also, after further progress, to handle three obligate parts correctly and well; and along with this not only to obtain good inventions (ideas) but to develop the same well; above all, however, to achieve a cantabile style in playing and at the same time acquire a strong foretaste of composition." For Intermediate students, amateurs and professionals.

Genres: Music

36 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1903

About the author

German composer Johann Sebastian Bach of the late baroque period wrote more than two hundred cantatas, the Saint Matthew Passion , the Mass in B Minor , orchestras, such as the six Brandenburg Concertos , chamber ensembles, and numerous works for organ, harpsichord, other solo instruments and fathered noted Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach, and Johann Christian Bach.

Spanish guitarist Andrés Segovia arranged his works.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_...

Reviews

[Leftbanker · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are astonishing little pieces for piano (and arranged for every other instrument) that take the student through the rudiments of counterpoint. Each one has its own unique charm and are quite difficult, at least for me. The separate hands technique is definitely your friend with these exercises.

I remember wanting to play these since I started playing piano (and subsequently gave up on it on the first try). Now that I’m back I’m finally starting to plow through these. At this point in my learning curve it takes quite a lot of commitment to master one of these so I doubt that I’ll make it through all 15. I think that I am and will be a much better pianist for the effort.

As I muddle through the first of these exercises in C Major:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zzJT...

[Leftbanker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m sure that I’ll play these every day that I sit down at the piano. I have learned three so far: #1, #6, and #14. #14 really kicked my ass but I stuck with it. I think it is my favorite. I didn't seem to have any problems with technique, I just had a hard time memorizing it. I still look at the music when I play the first part. #6 was a lot easier, or I'm improving.

They are just so incredibly clever. I have to say that I like listening to these much more than I do the three-part sinfonias, although those may be more fun to play. At this point in my playing, they are way too difficult. My dream is to play some of his fugues. A boy has to have a dream.

[Aleksander Mustonen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Üks esimestest kordadest kui ma võtsin eraldi ette kindla paladeseeria läbitöötamiseks. Väga arendav ja samas ka proovilepanev. Iga invensiooni õpib nii umbes nädala või kahega ära, aga proovi sa teda täiesti laitmatuks poleerida (!). Ka väga hea kontrapunktharmoonia muusikaliseks analüüsiks, kui oskused selleks peaks olema (endal väga pole, abiks oli õpetaja). Lemmikud olid 4. ja 8. inventsioon (mõlemad päris levinud). Väga konkreetsed ja kergestikuulatavad.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the most seminal works for the study of counterpoint from the master of the late Baroque style. I appreciate that this edition contains 17 pages of thoughtful context, explanation, and discussion, particularly of the ornaments that are peculiar to Bach's body of work. The score engraving for each of the 15 pieces is clear and all editorial content (dynamics, ornament interpretation, phrasing, tempos, etc.) are printed in gray to clearly distinguish what is original and what is added for this edition.

[Serafina Pfalzgraff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book. It includes extensive notes about playing the ornamentation in Bach‘s Sinfonias and Inventions, as well as reproductions of Bach’s original scores. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is a student of Bach.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun! These are excellent to learn after some introductory Bach work, but before the Sinfonias and Preludes and Fugues of the Well-tempered Clavier. The player gets extensive practice in playing two different melodies simultaneously in the two different hands.

[Adam C · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful - thought-provoking

[Serge Pierro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent keyboard/piano pieces that I still like to teach to students. I also like to use this book in a duo setting with bass players/students, where I play the top line on guitar, and they play the bottom line on bass.

[Alan (the Lone Librarian rides again) Teder]

In English language,Inglise keeles,music score,printed score,piano score,classical piano score,baroque period keyboard score

[Richard Larraga · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice clean edition of the inventions with ornaments written out in grey to help pianists learn how to play them. The typesetting is clear and easy to read.

[Favio Villaseñor]

this is one the best things you can play in order to archive mastery of guitar, but how can you rate a music sheet?