Bach, J.S. - Prelude and Fugue in D major, BWV 850 from WTC Book I Tutorial

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This 61-minute video lesson explores an in-depth look at the Prelude and Fugue in D Major, BWV 850 from the Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 by J.S. Bach. Areas of focus include how to reduce tension and play more fluidly, interpretation and variety with phrasing and dynamics, fingering suggestions, ornamentation suggestions, questions about pedaling and whether or not to use it (and when/how to use it if you are going to use it), technical exercises to help with fluidity and ease of playing, discussion on baroque stylistic elements (including articulation and rhythm), and many other suggestions and tips to help you become as efficient as possible in your practice sessions.
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[@RolandHuettmann]

When I play Bach, I feel rewarded, calmed, happy, and it turns attention to something more basic. András Schiff even recommended somewhere to start each morning with Bach. Bach requires very close attention to the musical content. I like this your lesson very much. I never play this Fugue, but others, currently involved with the C# Prelude and Fugue. Such joyful pieces...

[@garthly]

I find your lessons (and playing) absolutely inspiring. What a gift you have! Many thanks.

[@isaiahadamsvlogs5309]

Bach Prelude and Fugues are challenging to learn but extremely rewarding to play!

[@Dieguito-gy1dw]

Thank you for covering this with such depth and detail! I would love to see more Well-Tempered Clavier analysis!

[@kaysonpiano]

What a wonderful morning surprise! Just got my coffee and was about to start some practice myself. I am currently playing the Prelude and Fugue in C minor, BWV 847. Bach is one of my favorite composers so i am excited to have this tutorial. Thank you Josh for all the hard work you do and hope life is being good to you and your family! 😊

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thank you so much Kayson! Best wishes to you in your piano studies

[@Zhinarkos]

I've been playing WTC 1 for about two years now. Still not even close to learning all the preludes and fugas. But it's such a good learning experience. Bach's work feels like a masterclass, not just in the piano method but also listening. He wrote WTC for piano students and it seems very obvious to me now.
Also, for the sustain pedal discussion: Schiff obviously is one of the purists who wants to play Bach without the pedal but what I like about his attitude is that he has made it quite clear that it is his personal taste. At least on one occasion he jokes about it. "I have a bad reputation - people say I kill people who play pedal in Bach, it's not true". This is from a masterclass and after saying that he pretty much encourages the student to use a bit of pedal because they sounded a bit dry. Schiff has a specific soundscape in mind for the works of J.S.Bach and it's not as simple a question as to over-sustain or not sustain at all. And this I guess is the attitude of any long term student of Bach's works, even if they have a public image of using pedal or not. Andras Schiff is actually the one who inspired me to start practising and warming up by playing The Well-Tempered Clavier. So, for the most part I prefer pedalless playing myself but there are occasions, like the E minor prelude, where I feel like a bit of pedal can add something to the piece that I personally like.
As always, thanks for the tutorial.

[@leonardrecker5377]

Great to see some more Bach and his Prelude and Fugues! Would really like to see more Bach tutorials here! Cheers

[@joshwrightpiano]

French Overture (the overture movement) is coming up in the next few months and I’m also planning to do one more prelude and fugue before the end of the year

[@robbes7rh]

How can you know if what is being taught is the right stuff and worthy of pursuit? When the teacher demonstrates those principles spontaneously and with ease. This teacher played passages from the D major prelude and fugue from book 1 of Bach’s WTC with eminent fluidity and ease, demonstrating different tempi and textures taken by notable recording artists, as well as pitfalls amateur students fall prey to. And he takes into consideration the aesthetics of rendering Bach keyboard music on the modern piano forte. Make no mistake about it, he is a master of style and technique and plays the Well Tempered Clavier with exquisite beauty.

[@geenosr]

Josh you are an excellent teacher as well as performer, and your videos are very inspiring. I always laugh when I hear people argue about pedaling in Bach, as if they know what his intent was. I believe if today's piano was available in his lifetime, he would use all of it to craft his music. I try to play pedal-less when I practice Bach, because it clearly shows me where my technical strengths and weaknesses are, but for performance, I rest on what 'sounds right'. I was a sound engineer in a recording studio for years back in the analog days, and I found out that everyone gets a different sound out of the same piano. I would never have a "set way" to mike someone, I always asked them to play, and I put the microphones where the sound was the best. I did the same thing for all instrumentalists too. So for people to say it has to be one way or another about pedaling is ludicrous to me. Make it sound as the best music that Bach intended, with the knowledge that we have about how he played. If that means some pedal on some stages and none on another, so be it. Thanks for going out on a musical limb and giving a good perspective/opinion about how you interpret it. And keep the videos coming, they're wonderful!

[@musicayterapiaxd]

Beautiful Piano! Sounds amazing Josh!!

[@nocturnal_antares]

This was SUPER helpful. I’m currently preparing for college auditions so this was a great watch. You’ve earned a sub

[@lucimaraprestes6185]

You are amazing, Josh!!! I love your videos and tips.

[@truBador2]

The pedal cam is brilliant. I hope it catches on. Every Bach tutorial should employ this as a matter of course. 😂

[@EastValleyChorale]

Thanks Josh, for sharing your talent and encouragement for everyone here. You’re a great inspiration to me. I started as a music major, but ended up in electrical engineering. I still love music and started playing piano again. (I also direct a community choir of 65 singers in the Phoenix area). Thanks for sharing helps , methods, and hints.

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thank you for your kindness! I wish you all the best in your piano studies

[@mayokewpie]

Hi , I am a few days before my piano exam but I feel like I am not well prepared. I always feel like my hands have too much tension and can't play fast. But your teaching really helps!

[@metteholm4833]

Super instruction! The prelude is good for practising "leggiero". I took it up for that. The fugue is harder.

[@lolsup9817]

Hey Josh, I am currently tackling Chopin’s Nocturne op 27 no 1 and noticed you haven’t uploaded a tips video! Would love to see this in the future!

[@nethmasinclair8612]

Thank you so much master!

[@hstanekovic]

Thank you for a great lesson about arm movements. I always thought that arm should be moved somewhat with fingers but... it's confusing when people advocate the economy of movement which sounds like the opposite.

[@joshwrightpiano]

It is. The biggest folly of rotational fanatics is that they get so caught up in rotating that they forget the most basic finger motion of taking the key. However, many students who utilize no rotation end up overworking and have too much tension in the hand. Using a holistic approach can minimize effort and tension and increase efficiency. Having said that, every hand is different and each student has to find the balance in their own hand and arm

[@kaspianocz6330]

I think interpretation is just personal, I hate when people say, You cannot play it like that! Why? Because Bach didn't mean it that way? 1st how you know? 2nd, I've put my effort to learn the piece, so I can interpret it, the way I want!

[@thomasandreassosna9093]

I played the fugue at my entrance exam for music studies. It's a shame this video didn't exist back then. Then I could have prepared better ;-)

[@kaspianocz6330]

Hi, have you seen Beato's new live on Bach? He talks about interpreting Bach's pieces

[@nadiaboulanger9323]

Nice shoes!

[@Beyondabsence]

Love the voicing your technician did on your Steinway. Is it a B or D? I have an M in a small living room and love it. Cheers.

[@thesuperintendentoffugues1144]

Liked the video. I personally don’t use any pedal with Bach

[@samd.4]

Hello Mr. Wright, thank you for giving good advice to us youtubers for free, God bless you. I was just wondering I see professional pianists to be able to play pieces that they haven't played in a while (Arcadi Volodos - 5 years) or (20+ years I think, for Vladimir Horowitz) and I'm sure there are others. They were also playing these on the spot in front of other people. If there is a piece that I have learned at least a year ago I cant seem to remember at all. Especially if I am asked on the spot, how is it possible, what is their secret? Can you do the same thing with a piece you haven't played in years or since you were a kid? Thank you, God bless you.

[@EastValleyChorale]

When I used a lot of finger staccato on the Clementi sonatina (like you showed), my forearm gets super tight. thoughts?

[@joshwrightpiano]

Yes, apply the same balancing exercise I show toward the end of this video. Most likely there is too much finger isolation and you’re not allowing the arm and wrist to freely move

[@EastValleyChorale]

@@joshwrightpiano Thanks much for taking the time to reply. I'll work on your suggestions.

[@wolfie8748]

I am not kidding this is the best interpretation I heard 0:25 everybody either plays too much staccato or waay too fast. I wish you just playing this piece on spotify

[@monsieur171]

For the german speaking audience:
there is a in-depth series by austrian pianist Jörg Demus where he does a usually 20 minutes long tutorial/analysis for every pieces of both books of the well tempered clavier. I cannot recommend it enough
th-cam.com/video/Ow9QSe0OeJA/w-d-xo.html

[@realdeal908]

no way i just recieved this piece now

[@clam9000]

Wonderful video! But if you're looking for an interpretor of Bach, I think you could try checking out Tatiana Nikolayeva! She's my favourite:)

[@musiclover4311]

first and third notes in the left hand should be slightly accentuated.

[@TheMadisonHang]

In terms of using pedal,
These pieces could have been intended on the organ too

[@JG_1998]

First

[@musiclover4311]

Sustained pedal? Argue with Sir Andras Schiff. I disagree with you.

[@riff_junkie]

My dude can you please speak a little louder