Interpreting Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier. A Performer`s Discourse of Method

This book sets forth the provocative theories of a musician who has been called the outstanding harpsichordist of this century. The late Ralph Kirkpatrick 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.

CONTENIDO:

List of Musical Examples
Preface
Introduction

- The Historical Approach and Its Limitations
Origins of The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I
Meaning of the Term Clavier
Origin s 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 Way 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 Relationship and Means of Expression

- The Harmonic Approach
Bach's Harmonic Style
Characyteristics of Vertical Combinations of Sound
The Chords of Thoroughbass - Their Classification and Hierarchy
Chords and Their Components in the Context of Tonality
Harmonic Intensity (oa 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

Index