Bach's C major prelude, deconstructed
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- Опубліковано 1 лют 2021
- Bach's prelude in C major from book one of 'The Well-Tempered Clavier' is one of the most recognisable pieces of piano music ever written. In this essay, I deconstruct the history, rhythm and harmony to try and work out why it has captivated musicians and listeners for centuries.
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FURTHER READING/RESEARCH
Klavierbüchlein für Wilhelm Friedemann Bach: tinyurl.com/154z8h8a
Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier: The 48 Preludes and Fugues: www.amazon.co.uk/Bachs-Well-T...
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Hello everyone! I hope you enjoyed the video, and if you did, you might like my essay on Elgar's Enigma variations: ua-cam.com/video/ZatQm8ASsmI/v-deo.html. I love making these videos, but they do take a lot of effort to produce. So, if you want to help me make them, take a look at my Patreon: www.patreon.com/listeningin
I wish you would do the entire WTC
Now happy to be a subscriber! I love Bach and music theory.
Sorry. I've always wanted to learn to play the piano, but this went right over my head!
@@lelleithmurray235 Please don't give up. The desire to learn is the most important thing and you already have that. Find a good teacher. Practice every day. Study theory like a child student would and in no time you will understand this video!
@@DariusSarrafi Hello! Thank you for your words of encouragement. Hopefully once things start opening up again I can find a good piano teacher who understands that at my age it's not the theory that counts,but the actual joy of playing a tune! When I was little my parents didn't have the funds or means. Now that I'm older, I have the time but I'm trying to hold on to my faculties!😄
Bach combined with your soft voice is the most soothing sound known to man... Honestly could fall asleep to this
Just did, ur right, lol!
The voice makes me feel cuddly.
Soothing ... Fall asleep ... Not compliments to Bach nor to a listener.
I'm sorry that you are deaf
@@juliojorgeginer2098 Better than being stupid, don't you think?
I've always loved how Bach spends pretty much the entire second page of the piece teasing the G7 -> C resolution he knows you want to hear. It's a constant stream of, "Okay, the next chord. Syke! Okay okay, the next chord for sure. Syke! Alright, this next one, I promise. Ha, fooled again!"
The Old Man had a pretty subtle sense of humor.
He does this on so many songs, always teasing and then taking a different turn
Yes! Bach does "psych" us out. His intuitive sense of the psychology of tension and release leads to the perfect construction and timing he is the recognized master of. Novices think Baroque music is bland, unemotional, and too structured. On the contrary, it is profoundly emotional and moving without our times' sloppy and superficial emotionality.
Yes. In the opening choir of the St. John's Passion by Bach (BWV 245), "Herr, unser Herrscher", Bach does the same thing - drag out the "resolution" seemingly forever.
... and in the fugue BWV 850 he does the similar.
I’ve used this piece on several occasions with adult beginners. While being simple on the surface, it offers so much musical depth and musical expressivity. Thanks for teaching me something new about the piece. As usual, another beautifully crafted video. Well done.
That’s a really good idea. Your right - complexity hidden in plain sight.
@@ListeningIn In English the words YOU'RE and YOUR are spelled differently because they mean different things.
To me, this piece was actually quite hard, because it requires good finger control to achieve that evenness.
@@MrCuddlyable3 Correcting grammar is the lowest form of commnunication. The second lowest is pointing that out, for which I'm sorry.
@@propeeters6298 I reject your insincere apology. Weeks have passed without the poster Listening In availing the opportunity to correct their post so your peculiar declaration flounders for lack of an example action. Using what imagined scale of quality have you decided to broadcast your judgement of communications? At this moment millions of parents are caring for their child's basic language and potty training, but a nobody named Pro Peeters has only disparagement for their efforts. Should all career text editors and composers of dictionaries bow shamefully in submission to Peeters' proclamation of their inferior production? I suspect that my sarcasm is wasted on a shallow person who gets triggered by seeing a trivial verity and I think that Pro Peeters would do better to shut up and appreciate the music.
Once again I am astounded by how thorough your content is yet it remains easily digestible. The fact that you can achieve such a feat is frankly amazing
I am close to fifty years old and I am learning to play the piano and this is one of my favorite works, thanks for your detailed analysis,❤❤ excellent work
''it gives them a chance to get used to the instrument'' 4:10
yeah thats why bach throws a four voice monster fugue right after
Once I heard a nice word for the opposition of Prelude and Fugue BWV 846: After ethernal voice of heaven you are dropped down to Bachs living room, where he start to work with 13 kids running around :-)
But finally your explanation of chord progression is nice, and I quite like the fact, you are using jazz terminology for the chords. :-)
This is still one of the best chord progressions ever.
4:09 So... one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written was originally composed to teach beginners how to play... Amazing
10/10 for your depth analysis. Bach is the gift from God.
For years i was looking for a simple and (complex) explanation of this piece, until now. I remember learning this by ear because i dont know how to read music (lazy) but i was shock by the experience to "see" some patterns or feel the "idea" behind, just playing the chords in the learning process. Maybe this is the best piece to naturally learn how to resolve a melody, and obviously there's no going back when you learn something, you cant erase your thoughts and emotions. Thanks so much for your explanation, your videos are pure gold.
"To see a world in a grain of sand/and eternity in an hour". These are the words I think of when I play this. It's a sublime microcosm of harmony. Thanks for your excellent analysis of this deceptively simple masterpiece.
Beautiful words...and eternity in a second or is it a minute?...my 2 cents
"To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour..."
William Blake from Auguries of Innocence
Considering it was written so long ago it actually sounds quite modern. Timeless.
J. S. Bach was unquestionably a mega genius. Quite seriously the best composer who ever lived - period.
he was islam
@@PikaPika-Tassie he was christian, plus, what does religion have to do with anything???
I have always found this piece absolutely magical - it seems to be SO PERFECT in its construction for me without really understanding how he does it.
yet ANOTHER incredible essay!!! I am constantly amazed every time you release a new video. I also think your analysis about the f sharp - a flat change delaying the G is spot on! and that's why Bach is a genius and the scholars who think that he would have gone to the g in between those two chords aren't! Amazing!
Thank you so much Louie!!! You're right, although the missing bar theory has been widely discreted by many (including Tovey etc...), but thought it was really interesting and worth putting in the essay, nonetheless!
@@ListeningIn Aw that makes sense they'd do that. Absolutely worth putting in; I learn so much from you!
Thank you Mrs. Robinson for teaching me this piece just this way, sixty years ago. Now I realize that it prepared me for the life that has followed.
One of the most beatiful works by Bach.
It is worth mentioning that the arpeggiation used here was never used again in the centuries that followed. I have always felt that Bach wrote this piece to teach us how how to use the tonal system to be harmonically creative in a structure that is an integral whole.
Could you elaborate on '...never used again...'?
@@htimsid This is a five-voice arpeggiation that is totally unique to this composition. I know of no other piece that uses this arrangement. You need only here the first measure and you know what piece it is.
@@ajames283 Can you name a piece that does this?
@@ajames283 I couldn't find that arpeggiation anywhere in the piece. Maybe you know something I don't.
@@ajames283 Close...but no cigar!
Ah, this video was just as pleasing as the final resolution. It was exactly what I was looking for, to know just what was going on with all those wonderful sounds in this piece. So simple and yet not. Thank you!
Please "never" stop this channel! Understanding something about music, this is extremely high quality legitimate content. Haven't watched any other video, but even the first bars of the prelude earned my trust. 💗💗💗💷💷💷💸💸💸💸💴💴💴💴
Such an insightful, educated, cultured, and calm analysis! This is what I needed today.
resolving to the dominant 7
its beautiful
SO EXCITED FOR BACH!!! Beautiful analysis. Please do more famous works like this.
I'm so happy this was recommended to me today! I've been an amateur classical musical lover for years and have always wanted to understand more of the history and theory behind different classical pieces. I'm very excited to check out the other videos that you have.
I can't understand why music theory isn't taught in many schools around the world. It's basically applied mathematics in a very delightful way. Thank you for the video! Amazing! Need more of these.
I have friends who never learned music theory, and only learned how to read notes on paper. It's sad, because they do not understand the structure behind the music, and, they have no ability to improvise, experiment, or compose, not even understanding the structure of a simple triad chord (they say to me "I just play the notes on the sheet").
@@trevorjameson3213 that's not entirely fair...I tried to learn music theory my whole life but I'm terrible at maths and terrible at music theory. They swirl around in my brain and refuse to make sense no matter how I try. However I still enjoy trying to connect to the music and feel connected to the piece and composer. So you don't need to feel sorry for me or other people like me. Its condescending.
Agreed! In my university, only music majors could take music theory! There was only this lame "music appreciation" class for non-music majors.
I was sorta taught piano as a kid. But when I discovered Bach, found I found the most fascinating was how to he taught his children and wife music theory and composition at the same time he was teaching them how to "put your fingers here". It seems to me that learning the "whys" of something and recognizing its intention makes the implementation (i.e., where to put one's fingers) so much easier.
I learned only where to put my fingers but never why I had to put them there, even thought I could read notes I was never taught the underlying structure. To me that makes everything far harder.
@@stewartmillen7708 I had non music majors in my music theory class and I think the content went over their heads.
@@MegaMech Why would that be so?
The reason why is that I think more of the 18th-century (and earlier) ideal, where an being able to compose music should be a skill an educated person should acquire, just as everyone should be able to read and write. Now, composing like a Bach or writing prose like a Shakespeare requires talent and focus, most people can't do that, but anyone can write a letter.
Superior video that takes teaching far beyond the old person to person model. Helpful to anyone, even non musicians. Great effort!
The small visuals and indications really helped me stay grounded and digest the material. As subtle as they may be, I really appreciate these extra touches.
That minor second dissonance in the left hand is a stroke of pure genius and I would have never had the nerve to do that
I've always thought of bar 23 as a diminished chord with c being the passing tone, rather than a m6 chord with b being considered a passing tone.
Hi Jordan! You are correct. It is a leading tone diminished 7th in third inversion, not an Fm chord in first inversion. The preponderance of Bs and Ds in the right hand, especially on beats two and four reinforce this interpretation. Also, B is not a passing tone because there is not stepwise motion approaching it.
Hi Jordan. This is quite a subjective one. Tovey suggests the F minor six chord, so that’s what I went with. The reason I feel it’s not a diminished chord is also because you then get the nice parallel thirds between the A flat in the bass and the C in the second voice which move nicely onto the G dominating seventh in bar 24.
It doesn't sound like a Fmin6 at all because of the B. The B diminished chord, (or F, Ab or D) can function as a dominant chord.A better interpretation would be to consider this bar as a V in the key of C with the Ab at the bass being a chromatic approach to the dominant pedal (G) that is coming next, thus confirming the hypothesis
@@antoinetardif8327 i agree Fm6/Ab is not the way Bach would have thought of the harmony. Suspended V7b9 with the b2/b9 in the Bass is a much more fitting way to describe it, where the suspension (b2/b9) then resolves to G.
For reference, here is the source for my interpretation of the harmony in this bar: www.dropbox.com/s/nkjg5yhbrqafvw9/Tovey%20-%20Commentary%20on%20Praeludium%201%2C%20BWV%20846%3A1.pdf?dl=0. I also initially thought of it as a diminished chord, but change my mind after reading Tovey. This comes from UK ABRSM edition of the Well-tempered Clavier.
This was so interesting. I just subbed.
My music theory is very minimal. But i was learning to play his prelude BWV 999 for lute on the piano and while i don't really understand all the tricks he does with the chords, theres just this way he drives the music to exactly where your brain wants it to go. By the time its ended you are just so satisfied. He's one of my most favorite composers.
I got honest goosebumps at the final perfect cadence. Thanks!
Why I have never heard any of your classes, I don’t know, But I am so glad I have found you. I have studied Bach all my Life and he still amazes me with his compositions. I have played Bach, sang Bach conducted Bach and I find something new and fascinating every time. Needless to say, his works, (Passions, Cantatas, Organworks etc) will never get old. His works might be centuries old, but they are new and will never get old. What a master.....
I really feel like saying that this kind o material as well as YT chanels like yours should be the most watched in this platform.Thanks for making us still believe that there's hope in humanity at all.
Brilliant - a serene and limpid illumination of one of Bach's most serene and limpid pieces. Thank you!
Bach would be proud of your analysis and presentation. I now have a deeper appreciation for this masterpiece.
Wow, amazing! I had never considered the differences in anatomy between the harpsichord and the modern piano. Expertly done!
This is an incredibly well made video. I was a 9 year old when I first heard this piece at school and there was a certain chord that affected me so much that after the lesson I made my music teacher play through it, until I shouted out "THAT ONE!" and he told me it was a G major 7 - WOW, and I've been a jazz freak ever since. Thanks for explaining it well to me!!
Wow, I've never paid attention to it! Ha-ha, it's indeed a true jazz chord!
Amazing. Sheer beauty. Very grateful for this documentary and excellent overview of Bach's masterpiece prelude in C major.
What an amazing video ! Really well made and in-depth , without explaining common stuff
Once again! Such a good deconstruction of such a classic!
thank you! so happy too see that Fónagy was right in describing literary works with the same structures, tensions and relaxations you also throw light on in this video! and eventually understand why this music always moved me... thank you
Thank you for this. The first time I heard this piece something jumped out at me, I've been playing music all my life. The jump from c7 to Fmaj 7 is what I thought was the most beautiful chords together I have ever heard. I finally learned this on my own, Bach is the one of most gifted composers of all time.
Wow, just wow. This is one of the most interesting videos about music analysis I've ever seen!
Absolutely lovely! Great essay once again!
Fascinating! Bach's Harmonic language was phenomenal, even in its simplest form it's so amazing.
Your work on this well-tempered video was just rewarded with my subscription.
Nicely done. Describing the piece in a chordal structure way is an excellent way to provide insight to the work.
Brilliant!!! You've explained the genius of Bach in an easy to understand manner. Brilliant!!!
I love this work. You really deserve more subscribers
Thank you so much! I've been waiting for this explanation for many years.
This was a really well presented analysis! Thank you.
Just recently, I remembered watching a video a while back talking about how this one composer was genius to delay and elongate a cadence before it eventually satisfyingly resolves into the tonic chord at the very end of a piece, and I had the sudden urge to try and rewatch it, but I can't put my finger on what the video title was or which channel it was from. After stumbling upon this from trying to dig that video up for almost 2 hours and having resorted to just putting "prelude explained" in the search bar, I'm almost completely positive that this might be that video I watched in the past because I remember its style being a video essay form and with the video ending as soon as the tonic chord resolution was played. I distinctly remember it talking about Prelude in C Minor instead though, but I could be totally wrong and it could actually be this.
Still, I have to say thank you for now, for saving me the tiniest bit of frustration I had left, since if this isn't that video, I'm content with this being the closest and at least bears a vague resemblance, lol
I've played this prelude. It is simple, yet just beautiful. The use of diminished chords a suspense is just amazing. This video further makes me realise how much of a miracle Bach was. Thanks!!
Thank you so much for deconstructing one of my favourite classical pieces. I've loved it as a child when I first heard it and still do. I don't understand a lot of your theory but I will one day.
Beautiful video. Thank you for producing it! So informative and extremely well-presented.
Love how you broke down this piece. Great work!
This was interesting. Thank you for sharing it and not being afraid to dive into the specifics on the chords
I've loved this piece for years. That was fabulous. Thank You,
I've recently started to teach myself piano. I have absolutely no idea what you've just said but I listened with fascination and I'm more determined than ever to crack this piece!
It is so simple but so beautiful !!
Just discovered your channel, it's AMAZING!
Marvelous. Best harmonic tutorial out here! Thank you!
Fascinating and beautiful video as always
Thank you Lindsay!
Bach is absolutely sublime 🎼🎼🎼💎
Thank you for your teachings
You're an amazing teacher! Thank you!
This was fascinating. I've stored it, and will doubtless return to it.
I've never seen this channel before, i'm learning this piece and this was a superb analysis! THanks
Incredible analysis. Thank you.
Superbe analyse, merci beaucoup ! Your analysis, indeed very detailled, helped me a lot to understand this prelude. Thank you very much.
The geniality of building something so complex and so simple at the same time!
Brilliant video. Thank you so much.
I would love to see some content on Chopin
Amazing video! Was a pleasure to watch.
Thanks for all the work of putting this together so pleasantly with icons that children could understand. It saves much lesson time. Danke .
Simple on the surface, but those dissonances have the typical Bach mysticism that's so appealing. Looking at the score while playing other pieces you'll find the same, sometimes in just one bar. The piece flows along and suddenly something magical appears without warning.
absolutely amazing analysis...Keep going my friend.
I absolutely LOVE this video! Thank you.
Wow this video was amazing, I'm glad youtube recommended this to me :). Looking forward to more video essays like these.
I must say, this is a very enlightening essay on the Old Man's harmonic adventures. You make a very clear analysis of this falsely simple work. It's damned tricky for anyone to make something out of C major, but Old Man Bach did it, and with humour as usual.
Actually, I was a bit reticent at the start when I saw you on an electronic keyboard, but was soon reassured by the "natural sound" you sought after.
The outstanding Jacques Loussier took Bach to another plane with his Play Bach Trio (it's actually a play on words, because in France we tend to pronounce Bach as 'back", or "baque"- hence Play Back Trio). Just a detail.
Well done. Hats off to you Sir.
Thank you for another wonderful video !!
Fantastic analysis. Thank you
Great video! It's probably one of my favourite pieces to play, even just in chords, but is surprisingly tricky IMO, especially keeping in mind it's often one of the first real pieces you play if you're learing to play a keyboard instrument, you really have to feel the pulse to keep the rythm going.
Marvelous and informative lesson, which beautifully blends some practical and useful knowledge, with interesting facts about the background.
Outstanding explanation. Thanks and see you next time.
Wonderful. I love this piece.
Brilliant. Thank you.
This is the first song I ever learned when I was 10.
7:51 my teacher taught the song to me including that chord, so everytime I played it I included the natural G with its chord and people would say I was making it up.
This is the first time I see this issue addressed in a video and boy am I happy to see it
A superb analysis! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 One can appreciate Bach‘s genius.....even more 😊
oh, an update from my favorite growing channel. it's gonna be a good day
This is great video!! Thank you for making it!!
To me, the C Major Fugue is way more important than the Prelude. I'd love to hear your analysis of that stretto filled masterpiece which goes to the opposite extreme of complexity.
Thank you for posting. Excellent video. Subscribed!
Bach really stood out for me as a teenager living in a northern (UK) steel town, I learned this piece in keyboard (organ) lessons in my late teens.
30 years later I happened upon a video of Anna Lapwood performing at the Royal Albert Hall with Bonobo. It's the reason I bought a really rather good Yamaha electric Piano and have nearly learned to play it again.
All the alleged conflict about it aside - forget it - its a totally sublime and satisfying piece of music to play.
Do it because you love it - not what others think.
Fantastic video, you beautifully explain Bach 's genious!
A very usefull explanation of this prelude!
Simply AMAZING video!
Análise sensacional. Obrigado por compartilhar. Curitiba, Paraná - Brasil
Thank you , this explains a lot.