Bach to nature: Pairing a Prelude with scenes from Tilden Regional Park (Berkeley CA)

I didn't think twice about getting double mileage from re-playing J.S. Bach's ethereal Prelude in C minor, BWV 847. It turned out to be nature-inspired. On a late afternoon trail trek to Tilden Park, I came equipped with a modest Sony Cyber shot digi-cam that provided a generous supply of photos. These would be imported…

A Music Packed Saturday and Sunday! (Video) and NEW PHOTOS!

The MTAC Baroque Festival and Daniil Trifonov's recital at Fresno State cap this weekend's events, giving our city a warm cultural embrace amidst its Bulldog-driven sports fever! First on the line-up, Claudia, 11, will play the Yamaha concert grand piano at the University's recital hall today.(The Steinway is sequestered) She'll offer two Bach selections: Invention…

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

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 lesson with two introductory readings, she was bobbing her head up and down, reinforcing beats…

Piano Lesson in Progress: Slow tempo, J.S. Bach Prelude in C minor, BWV847, student, Claudia, age 11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIMmG3OzHhU

J.S. Bach Prelude in C minor, BWV 847 from the Well-Tempered Clavier (Two Videos)–exploring the Chordal outline/harmonic rhythm

In summary, there is so much harmonic rhythm to think about here that mapping the chordal outline helps keep the composition from degenerating into non-stop, punctuated 16ths, at least in the opening section marked Allegro Moderato. A compelling melody is woven through the harmonic fabric and must always be fleshed out. The Adagio interlude is…