Johann Sebastian Bach

The Very First Bach-Studies

This present edition follows a double aim: to assist music students in getting acquainted with and growing fond of the music in Bach's time on the one hand and to prepare and facilitate teaching and studying Bach's small preludes, on the other. To meet the latter objective the more difficult dances and suite movements prove to be the most suitable. It is primarily a practical edition that follows closely the original music material. The original slurring has, however, been changed due to teaching purposes and in the interests of easier study (in several cases by omitting the original or by adding the most essential phrasing and articulation slurs). Suggestions for tempo, performance, dynamics and fingering have also been given. The eventually unusual fingering in some places promotes correct phrasing, articulation. Original ornaments that would pose considerable difficulties for the students have been omitted while the ones that can eventually be omitted depending on the rechnical skill of the students have benn put in brackets. In such cases an easier solution is, however, always indicated above the original in brackets. This does not exclude naturally that students capable of properly executing the original ornaments of these works without the distortrion of the melkody arches and rhythm should not play them in their full, not simplified form. Piano students on advanced level are recommended to compare the present edition with other, original text editions which disclose ornaments in their original form. As an example two pieces of this collection have been included in the appendix in the form they appear in the original text edition. This attempt provides possibilities both for the teachers and students to assess the nature and extent of editorial alterations. The name of the composer has only been indicated in case where it could be unambiguously identified.