Category Archives: Johann Sebastian Bach

Piano Lesson: Analyzing/playing Bach Invention in D minor, No. 4, BWV 775 in slow tempo (Videos)

Posted on March 26, 2012 by

In J.S. Bach’s Two-part Inventions both voices overlap and imitate each other creating counterpoint. The SUBJECT of no. 4 contains a d-minor Harmonic form scale whose 6th note, B flat does NOT continue in an upward motion to the leading … Continue reading →

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A third year piano student shines playing J.S. Bach’s C Major Prelude (Well-Tempered Clavier)

Posted on February 9, 2012 by

Sakura, 12, is preparing the Bach C Major Prelude from the Well-Tempered Clavier Book I, for the upcoming MTAC Celebration Festival (Music Teachers Association of California) And she’s right on course heading for a satisfying performance in March. Being Left-Handed, … Continue reading →

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Down to the wire: An 11-year old piano student prepares for a competitive Baroque event (VIDEO) with a tender flashback

Posted on January 27, 2012 by

Claudia has made significant gains this year. She’s shaping her phrases more, and becoming ear-attentive and physically responsive to the music she plays. Today, she made additional headway with J.S. Bach’s Prelude in C minor, BWV 847. Coming into her … Continue reading →

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Memories of J.S. Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” (Video)

Posted on December 20, 2011 by

I love the carol medley sung in chorus at this time of the year, especially, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” which had a touch of Mendelssohn, though he was not the original composer; “Silent Night,” “O’ Come All Ye Faithful,” … Continue reading →

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Bach to basics, Bach to nature, and Bach forever! (Videos)

Posted on December 3, 2011 by

When it comes right down to it, I’m always drawn back to Bach for solace, counsel, wisdom, insight, and more. He was the Father of our Western music in all its infinite forms. In the composer’s ingenious 2 volume, Well-Tempered … Continue reading →

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A different view of Bach and the piano (Prelude in C) Video

Posted on November 19, 2011 by

On a whim, I decided to keep my Mac at a distance from the Steinway, walk over to the piano without being too conspicuous, and offhandedly play the Bach Prelude in C from the Well-Tempered Clavier. Since I hadn’t yet … Continue reading →

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When piano playing soars to spiritual heights: The artistry of Cyprien Katsaris

Posted on November 13, 2011 by

Words fail me when trying to describe this performance of Cyprien Katsaris over You Tube. Stage setting: A majestic church with big resonance, and while the soundtrack is scratchy, what emanates from the piano makes the listener forget any mechanical … Continue reading →

Posted in Baroque music, Cyprien Katsaris, Johann Sebastian Bach, JS Bach, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Kirsten blog, Shirley Smith Kirsten, The art of phrasing at the piano, the art of piano pedaling, the art of piano playing, whole body listening, whole body music listening, word press, wordpress.com, you tube, you tube video | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Piano Instruction: J.S. Bach Invention no. 8 in F, BWV 779, using a spring forward wrist and hand rotation, Three Videos

Posted on September 12, 2011 by

I introduced my tutorial by playing a snatch from Edna-Mae Burnam’s Dozen a Day, Book 1, no. 3 “Hopping.” It was the springboard for the wrist motion I use when playing Invention 8 in F Major. I also enlist a … Continue reading →

Posted in counterpoint, diminished chords, El Cerrito, El Cerrito California, imitative counterpoint, J.S. Bach, J.S. Bach Invention 8 in F Major BWV779, J.S. Bach two part Inventions, Johann Sebastian Bach, JS Bach, mind body connection, mindful piano practicing, piano instruction, piano lessons, piano teacher, piano teaching, piano technique, piano tutorial, pianoaddict.com, Pianostreet.com, pianoworld, pianoworld.com, playing piano, Shirley Kirsten, Shirley Kirsten blog, Shirley Smith Kirsten, slow mindful practicing, slow piano practicing, talkclassical.com, Teach Street, teaching piano, word press, wordpress.com, you tube, you tube video | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Revisiting J.S. Bach’s Invention 1 in C, BWV 772 (Video)

Posted on September 10, 2011 by

Yesterday I had the novel experience of working on Bach’s Invention 1 in C Major, via long distance transmission. Beamed to Sydney, Australia, by way of SKYPE, I found myself having gained new insights about a piece I had temporarily … Continue reading →

Posted in Bach Invention, Bach Invention no.1 in C Major BWV 772, Bach Inventions, Bach Two Part Inventions, Baroque music, classissima, classissima.com, counterpoint, J.S. Bach, J.S. Bach two part Inventions, Johann Sebastian Bach, mindful practicing, music, piano addict, piano instruction, piano lesson, piano lessons, piano practicing, Piano World, pianoaddict.com, Pianostreet.com, playing piano, Teaching Bach two part inventions, word press, wordpress.com, you tube, you tube video | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment