Interpreting Bach at the Keyboard (Clarendon Paperbacks) [Paperback]

Paul Badura-Skoda (Author), Alfred Clayton (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198165765 | ISBN-13: 978-0198165767 | Publication Date: August 10, 1995

The ever-increasing number of performances of Bach's music is a sign of its enduring vitality. But perhaps no other composer is subject to such a wide diversity of interpretation--assessing the merits of these many interpretations and unravelling the sources and documents on which they are based can be extremely difficult for the modern performer. In this important book, Paul Badura-Skoda draws on forty years of studying and performing Bach to present startling new insights into many different aspects of Bach's music. He looks at rhythm, tempo, articulation, and dynamics; examines the instruments for which Bach's music was intended, and considers problems of sonority. He then discusses ornamentation in depth, analyzing each of the signs and symbols used by Bach, and argues that much of Bach's ornamentation in current performance is monotonous and fails to reflect the actual Baroque style. Sometimes contentious, always stimulating, Badura-Skoda's book conveys a passion for an informed interpretation of Bach's music based on a recognition and respect for Bach's actual intentions. Copiously illustrated with musical examples, the book will take its place as a standard work for all students and performers of Bach's ever-popular keyboard music.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The most comprehensive and authoritative treatment of its topic ever attempted....His intimate familiarity with Bach's keyboard music is evident throughout....This is an important study that deserves an international audience."--Russell Stinson, SUNY at Stony Brook

"For all musicians, not just keyboardists."--Choice

"This exceedingly comprehensive work is particularly significant not only as a revelation of the musical perceptions of one of the foremost keyboard artists of our time, but also for the sound musicological evidence it presents for the illumination of a wide range of performance problems inherent in Bach's keyboard works. The author's demonstrated ability to convey the composer's intentions to present-day performers in the interests of musical perfection undoubtedly will enrich the experience and understanding of Bach's music for audiences for many years to come."--The Diapason

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (August 10, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198165765
• ISBN-13: 978-0198165767
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,066,331 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For the Pianist, August 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Interpreting Bach at the Keyboard (Clarendon Paperbacks) (Paperback)

Here is performance information for the pianist without apologies. There are numerous excellent books for organists and harpsichordists from which I have been forced to extrapolate to the piano. Badura-Skoda exhaustively covers all facets of Bach performance on the piano: rhythm, articulation, tempo, and that endless bug-a-boo, ORNAMENTS! He is fearless in expressing his insight and opinion on ornaments and their execution. Musical examples are plentiful, avoiding the need to fetch scores. Of particular interest is his section on the Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, a short chapter on 18th c. organ-barrels(!), and a Gouldian Imaginary Interview on the "Urtext Problem". "Interpreting Bach" is an informative reference book reminiscent of Rosenblum's "Performance Practices" in scope and ease of use. Well worth the investment for the pianist knocking on Bach's door seeking entry. Badura-Skoda can help open it for you.

2 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interpreting Bach at the Keyboard, September 3, 2005

By 

Mary J. Swanson (Oregon USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Interpreting Bach at the Keyboard (Clarendon Paperbacks) (Paperback)

Thank you to Paul Badura-Skoda for this very excellent and helpful book.