Analyzing Bach's 48 preludes, transposing to C or Am, closely related keys, Bach's behavior in employing satzmodelle, controversy in analysis, memorizing rules of thoroughbass, music theory in education, future research on thoroughbass
Transposing Bach's preludes to C major and A minor highlights the similarities in his modulatory paths.
There is no one perfect analysis of Bach's compositions, and different conclusions can be drawn based on the analytical lens used.
Understanding thorough bass can enhance interpretations of Bach's music and individualize patterns for ornamentation.
Deep dives
Derek Remish's New Book on Bach's Preludes
In this podcast episode, Professor Derek Remish discusses his new book, The Art of Preluding, which focuses on Bach's Prelude in the Well-Tempered Clavier. Remish explains that his goal was to make Bach's complex compositions more accessible. He transposed each prelude to C major and A minor to highlight the similarities in Bach's modulatory paths. Despite possible criticism, Remish justifies this transposition as a pedagogical tool to increase accessibility. He acknowledges that there is no one perfect analysis of the works and that different conclusions can be drawn based on the analytical lens used. Remish also emphasizes the connection between music theory and rhetoric, as well as the concept of individuating Bach's preludes through the application of rhetorical figures, such as broken chords, suspensions, and arpeggios.
Using Counterpoint and Forster's Exercises to Learn Realization
To learn how to realize a bass and figures correctly, Remish recommends using resources like Johann Christian Counter's treatise, which includes an upper line to assist beginners, or Forster's exercises. These resources provide the outer voices and suggested realizations. Remish also suggests referring to Mozart's authentic realizations and comparing them to one's own realizations to ensure correctness. He emphasizes the importance of working in three or two voices to reduce clutter, and extending the harmonic region to provide more space for melodic movement. Remish guides students through gradually confronting more complex situations and applying the learned rules layer by layer.
Understanding Consonant and Dissonant Music
Remish introduces the distinction between consonant and dissonant music. Consonant music involves avoiding parallel fifths and octaves, maximizing contrary motion, and ensuring complete harmonies. To introduce dissonance, Remish explains the concepts of transitus (unaccented dissonances approached and left by step) and syncopatsio (syncopated dissonances, or suspensions). He highlights that understanding dissonance as syncopatsio or transitus serves as a framework for learning subsequent subcategories of rules, such as unprepared syncopatsio and the resolution of unprepared intervals. Remish also discusses the concept of super syncopatsio for unprepared syncopatsio dissonances, where the top note of the interval should always resolve down.
Thorough bass perspective and Bach's use of rhetorical figures
The podcast episode discusses the concept of thorough bass and its application in analyzing Bach's music. The speaker emphasizes Bach's use of rhetorical figures, such as long sequential passages, in common patterns. Specific examples are mentioned, like the B-flat major Prelude in book two, where Bach employs an up-four, down-five sequence. The speaker highlights the importance of individualizing these patterns and recommends using Bach's original pieces as a reference for ornamentation. The episode explores how understanding thorough bass can enhance interpretations of Bach's music.
Change in perception of thorough bass and technology's impact
The podcast delves into the transformation of the perception and accessibility of thorough bass. It is mentioned that thorough bass used to be considered only applicable to the Baroque period and as a compositional tool. However, the speaker notes that thorough bass has become more popularized and cool again due to resources like the Partimento group and various technology platforms. The episode highlights the democratization of access to music theory, particularly thorough bass concepts, through podcasts, videos, and online communities. The speaker also emphasizes the potential of future research projects in translating sources, digitization, and the need for comprehensive harmony treatises utilizing thorough bass.
