I am going to learn the Well-Tempered Clavier Book One by J.S. Bach this year. I thought at this point in my life I’d be exploring music by living classical composers, finally learning the language of jazz, or even on my way to achieving my dream of being the next Joan Baez. Instead — a dead white guy? One of the deadest, possibly most over-exposed white guys of them all? Really?
But. It is this music that I’m most drawn to these days. My fingers experience a unique joy as I play it, my brain is extra stimulated as I read, analyze, and listen to it, and it makes me sigh deeply and often for its emotional content. I feel a strong need to learn the entire collection (book one, that is). Now. This year.
For weeks I’ve been sightreading through WTC book one and reading commentary and analysis on the preludes and fugues. Starting August 1, I’ll begin some sort of disciplined process to learn on a new pair every two weeks with the hope that I’ll know all 24 within a year.
What is a disciplined process? What does knowing mean in this context? Why do my fingers like this music, what does it do for the intellect, why does it make me sigh? What thoughts about learning, teaching, leadership, relationships, politics and more might emerge while my brain and hands work through it? These questions will be part of the experience, which I will process on this blog.
If others read this and experience the process in some way with me, I’ll be grateful to a very dead white guy for enabling that connection.
Deanna Beth said:
Yay! And you’ll end with a recital, of course!
Yat-Yee said:
I have been more drawn to Bach these last 10-15 years. It’s as if all of his music I have learned and listened to is finally making a deep impression. This is quite the undertaking, but I’m sure you’ll not only complete it but also discover lots of insight that you’ll share with us.
I don’t know if I can play through the P&F; my eyesight is just not allowing me to read music easily any more, but I may be bringing out my old recordings and join you that way.
Gerry said:
Bev, I look forward to reading your blog! I, for better or worse, also have a Bach obsession, although I’m sure I can’t play it like you do. About 12 years ago I started playing classical music again. One by one I went through a Chopin phase (Mazurkas, then Nocturnes, Waltzes and preludes), then Beethoven (sonatas), then Mendelsohn (songs without words). Then I found Bach … and now everything else is boring too me. I’ve learned roughly half the preludes & fugues in book 2, a few in book1, and now I’m doing the French suites. Bach has got to be the greatest musical genius who ever lived.