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Bach, Prelude BWV 1007 (TAB)
Transcription and Fingering: Renato Bellucci
Preludes are, generally speaking, "appetizers" for the suite. They introduce the key and many musical ideas which will be developed in the movements (dances) that will follow.
This description is probably very accurate especially since it comes from a time when music was not a free art form but was strictly associated to other activities such as dance or prayer. The praeambula was the first spark of an amazing revolution which would be coined in the words art music.
Bach was the essence of art music. He dedicated all his work to God but to Johannes, music was meant "to be worthy of" God. Therefore, when his genius was freed from the strict musical forms of the time and was allowed to wander in a free form such as the prelude, semi-miracles would result.
This is the reason why Bach preludes can stand alone as great masterworks. The soul of the composer stands out in every measure.
Bach Manuscript
In Bach's case, Preludes acquire such a dimension that they stand alone as complete units, displaying all the German genius' creativity and spirit.
Staff and Video 6
Bach plays with small steps between the notes in the first measure and then flies up and down in measure 2. Stress the high G in measure 2 using fijacion.
Video 6
Staff and Video 7
The Master presents a beautiful 4 figures question followed by an equal answer. It is as if the piece gets stalled for a brief time to then change to a B. It takes the player to a new section. In measure 2 stress the note preceding the pull-off. You can also omit the pull-offs. These are of the musical type and not technical ones.
Video 7
Staff and Video 8
In the first measure, the music is stalled by a beautiful campanella (bell). In the second measure the campanella changes and the D-D bass pedal is presented again. In the highlighted area in the video to the right I show how to relax the left hand completely and perform the change of chord without producing any undesired string squeaks. Remember that the magic of guitar music is deeply compromised when a left hand squeak suddenly appears in teh playing.
Video 8
Staff and Video 9
Tension starts to build up.
Video 9
Staff and Video 10
This is a unique scale. Bach presents a scale going from the higher note to the lowest note.. a scale going up was never presented.. still, it was never missed. The scale ends with the G# in measure 2. It gets heavier as it approaches the G#. The double p at the beginning of the staff is meant to bring the RH down to play the F# with the i. The tied C and D can also be played separately.
Video 10
Revision: Asunción, December 15, 2012
