Bach Little prelude C Major BWV 933

[sandobertin]

OMG! I've never seen a clavicordio untlil now!

[Peusterokos1]

Ponies sent me here...

So did Portal 2 and Team Fortress 2

[rh7189]

beautiful instrument...

[EpicGamer128]

Truly inspirational music!

[ttomace]

Is that cindrellas Harpsichord?!?! lol :X  great playin too... :)

[stanzebla]

Hi Gérard, this is very interesting, I bet you would love to see the harpischords of my chefs. I nearly took some photos today, just for you, but skipped it. Regards, stanzilla

[criticalhard]

a very cool instrument good job ^^

[dorothiy]

wow.

Looks like grand piano.

[H057IL3]

I found this through Wikipedia :P

[monsterrockenergy]

Very nice play! And recorded very good sound!

[videogamerxx]

Although this piece was written for instruction and not intended to be played as a concert piece, in my opinion it could make one! It's a very beautiful piece.

[Slywolf117]

I'd do anything just to PLAY on one at least once in my life -_- idk why but I love the harpsichord. My piano Professor was getting on me because I prefer to play Bach's pieces over those written for piano XD and any other harpsichord piece i could find within my level range. You're good. Hopefully I can get there one day, doubt it though -_-

[FernandRaynaud]

Those who think it's out if tune need to look into the topic. We are so used to Equal Tempered tuning that other tunings seem odd. With tunings of the 18th century, you make the core keys have perfect fifths or thirds, then as you modulate away from say C, the intervals become less perfect. By the time you reach say a C# major, that nobody played in, the imperfections become quite audible. It's a trade-off. It also gives each key a very specific mood, unlike Equal Temperament, where every key i

[GerardRatigan]

@FernandRaynaud Thank you FernandRaynaud - some people are so sure of their supposed knowledge and the acuracy of their opinion and ears that they never notice that music existed before equal temperament and that baroque music can (must ?) be played using unequal temperaments. Of course, it is of no use in speaking to them, pronouncing the names of Werckmeister, Vallotti, Kellner or other long-dead theorists.

[aatz1982]

@FernandRaynaud What you say is true of the music before Bach's time, but he wrote his keyboard music for well tempered instruments, which is very close to, if not exactly equal temperament allowing all keys to be played and allowing greater freedom for modulation. This harpsichord is definitely out of tune for this music.

[vivalamatt11]

No, it is definitely out of tune. That is the first thing I noticed. Nonetheless, it is a good recording! Livebach

[GerardRatigan]

@vivalamatt11

It is *not* out of tune, and I trust my electronic tuner more than your ears. But if you want definitely to think it is out of tune, it is definitely up to you. Best regards

[Bachlives2]

@GerardRatigan It is out of tune. Trust me. I play and tune my own harpsichord almost everyday! The octaves in the upper range are inconsistent... Very well played though...

[GerardRatigan]

@Bachlives2 ... If you want to think it is out of tune, it is definitely up to you. Best regards

[averynator]

@vivalamatt11 to someone like myself with perfect pitch, end even through a video, that harpsichord sounds perfectly in tune and beautiful if i do say myself.

[HarpsichordRox]

@vivalamatt11 uhh ever heard of a harpsichord not being tuned to A=440 hz

[HarpsichordRox]

@vivalamatt11 uhh ever heard of a harpsichord not being tuned to A=440 hz

@GerardRatigan Great playing, man.

[hartleymartin]

@vivalamatt11 - Baroque instruments did not use the modern equal-temperament system we have today, so when played on the old tuning system it sounds out. It must also be remembered that Harpsichords go out of tune quicker than pianos (10 years ago I did work experience in a Harpsichord workshop, so I learned lots about them) It is part of the character of the instrument which makes the sound so flavoursome and unique.

[ifabbott]

Can you play the Adam's family theme?

[GerardRatigan]

@ifabbott No, I cannot and I am not interested in it

[ttomace]

@GerardRatigan But that is toccata and fugue ( a minute excerpt from that theme ) ! how can u not be. ur not a bach fan?

[peteacher52]

The sound of your harpsichord, as coming through the computer speakers, with good quality extensions, is rich and mature throughout the compass. It has been very well made, and your playing compliments it. I agree with you about Bach. But I would say that because my favourite solo instruments are the tracker-action organs and the harpsichord!

[Hoppenmarieken]

I just found your video and now am trying to play the prelude on my harpsichord, too. Thank you! Very nice instrument! I admire people, who can build such a thing do-it-yourself! (The d'' seems to be out of tune a little. but who cares?)

[Darkboy2525]

Love this harpi :D ! I play my self piano, but sometimes a bit on the harpsichord to in my music school .. a sad thing don't many people ( of my ages ) play this most wonderfull instrument :( it is such a lovely sound !

[harpsinth]

why don´t you play the ornaments ???

[hockeygirl1031]

wait, just read the caption thing, i was right! =D hehe

[hockeygirl1031]

omg is that a harpicord??

[migzx3]

that hard shit...nice one

[mostlyclassics]

Gerard, that's one sumptuous-sounding Zuckermann Flemish single! I particularly like your voicing. Did you use bird quills or the delrin plectra it came with?

[moooocat]

seems out of tune.. no one has commented on this though?...

[GerardRatigan]

@moooocat

maybe it seems out of tune to you, and It's not out of tune in reality ?

[mostlyclassics]

@moooocat, what may be throwing off your ear is that Gerard hasn't tuned the instrument using the common equal temperament. Gerard will correct me, but it sounds like he's using one of the recirculating temperaments from the 18th century. Equal temperament has very wide thirds with a "buzzing" quality. Equal temperament is what you're used to. Earlier temperaments concentrated on getting the common key thirds "pure" and had slightly narrow fifths.

[dolofonos]

@moooocat My ears are not well-trained enough to say precisely in what fashion; but your suspicions are correct to my own opinion. Whatever tuning has been used, appears to slightly not favor the key. But this does not necessarily designate the keyboard 'out of tune.'

[jamieboyrockon]

@moooocat Perhaps you're one of the lucky (sarcasm) few to suffer from perfect pitch.

[MVanthoor]

Everybody has a keyboard nowadays. Lets get older and use a Hammond :)

Everybody has a piano these days. So, why not use a harpsichord?

I find te harpsichord to have a great sound and I often like it more than a piano. If you indeed built this yourself: very well done, and a very good performance. Congrats.

But... Pink? Did you HAVE to?

[GerardRatigan]

@MVanthoor

This harpsichord is *not* pink, but red, as you can see on my personal page. As for me, I have always preferred the sound of the harpsichord than that of the piano, not to mention that I prefer Bach to Chopin. Not to be explained - some prefer the Beatles or Duke Ellington to Bach : I don't ...

[AerialStoner]

harpsicords kinda freak me out but still nice music

[SFChristo]

How are you, Gerard?

[britcrit09]

Marvelous playing! I really enjoyed listening to that unfamiliar piece.

[tsusec]

perfect ... 5 stars...

[jpstenino]

Very nice playing on a wonderful instrument.

[devitry67]

It needs articulation, and ,also, may I ask, Why did you eliminate ornaments?

[kacharov]

Yes, indeed, beautiful instrument, great sound, but, in my opinion, baroque music is based on ornaments.

I love Ton Koopman version of this Six Little Preludes.

[MikeTheBigBadWolf7]

A pink (or is that red?) harpsichord! Anyway, good job.

[laustibi4]

Amazing

[saliere3mozart]

Fantastic peformances

[pcma1970]

Fantastic !!!

[dmyrkur]

amazing! but you should take a short breath once in a while :) articulations

[easybeartx]

Beautiful! Who made this instrument please?

[GerardRatigan]

made by myself from a Zuckermann kit

[KamaMaggot]

this video is my guide !! thanks !! im traying to play this song, its difficult for me :´(

[GerardRatigan]

thank you - keep trying!

[sheikov1979]

It is very incorrect to call this a "song".

[eddiemperor]

First of all Great Performance!! Second beautiful instrument u have there, my dream is to play at least one key of a Harpsichord and an Organ :)

[GerardRatigan]

Maybe one day ? I waited a long time :)

[eddiemperor]

How Does it feel? The Inmense Joy of the soul when one Plucks such Instruments? How old Is your Instrument?

[PSYCO000000]

@eddiemperor Me too... :)

[ribosomalRNA5]

What a beautiful harpsichord- I want one! Are they hard to make or maintain?

[GerardRatigan]

Not so difficult, but needs much precision, time and patience

[Orchidbeautyful]

@ribosomalRNA5 like one person said Bach is a mathematical pattern i have played Bach so many time's, and after you keep playing Bach you'll find out something amazing

[musiclover63]

Quite good! Very clean! I like it. Just add some trill somewere, then you are perfect.

[GerardRatigan]

thanks a lot for commenting

[ca11um15]

Really quite awesome...!!

[GerardRatigan]

kind of you

[thinkgreenlovepurple]

this is perfect.

thanks for sharing your talent :) baroque music is beautiful on the harpsichord

[GerardRatigan]

thank you

[KawaiVisualGirl]

kawaii

so cute

замечательно

[GerardRatigan]

большое спасибо

[direngrey4569]

weeaboo

[sasgeza]

The tempo he plays this piece is just perfect! No need more or less speed, he got it!

[chjrak95]

it's emazing

[jeorge345]

This is instrument is called a Harpsichord. It's the precursor to the Modern piano :D

[cav0129]

LMFAOO ITS NOT A PIANO AHAHAHAHH

research the history of the harpsichord lol... its the complete opposute of a piano :P

[FernandRaynaud]

They are right about the timing but if you make it strut more, it will take care of itself, without having to think about it, et si vous ne connaissez pas ce mot si genial, to strut, regardez dans le dictionnaire.

[arieldickman]

very nice music and playing!

[berniewa2008]

I find this too mechanically played - as very very often done with music from the 18 century. Better would sound, if for example some notes - to give them a small accent - would get some parts of a second more space. Even maybe every from 4 notes following each other, no one should be exactly as loud and as long than any other one.

[GerardRatigan]

thank you for commenting - I do my best and I am neither Gustav Leonhardt nor Scott Ross ...

[RareSpibs]

Thank you so much for this lovely video on that exquisite instrument. 933 is one of favorite pieces across all styles and eras of music. It's heartbreakingly lovely, and I appreciate your "homely" (meaning home-like, not ugly) approach.

[RareSpibs]

Harpsichords do not provide a means to create "louder" or "quieter" tones. Putting space between notes is corny and arbitrary, placing far too much attention on the performer, and taking the attention away from the (glorious) music.

[berniewa2008]

You're right, and this is one of the reasons why Bach himself prefered the clavichord more than harpsichord ;-))

By the way, what I mean is not primarely space between the notes, but to play some a little bit more longer than others, though they are written as to have the same length. That's not sooo difficult (I am not Leonhardt etc, too) and this is possible also on harpsichords :-))

[VittorioDDV]

Um hi, I am like so jealous of your pink harpsichord right now.

[NagualElias]

how come you didn't play it with some of the turnovers? i guess it's a matter of taste.

[GerardRatigan]

Yes, you are true. Thanks for commenting.

[Reverstar]

Wow I just noticed the tags on this video, Gerard you seem to know a lot of languages, I can barely speak English and few German appart from my native language.

[Reverstar]

Are you sure this is a little prelude or a prelude, I keep lookin it in my scores cant find it.. right now im playing some advanced invention and the toccata & fugue in D minor kinda tough by the way, salutos!

[GerardRatigan]

This piece is a part of "Sechs kleinen Präludien fur Anfänger zum Gebrauchen" (that is "Six little Preludes for Beginners") according to Forkel, the first biographer of JS Bach. The title is not by Bach himself, and there is no autograph. Anyway, isn't a "little prelude" some sort of "prelude" ?

Best regards

[Reverstar]

I really can´t find it in my scores, i have such a mess anyway. and having trouble finding in PDF. I dont trust torrent files.

saludos

[daishinkoutei]

Thanks!(^^)!

This prelude is simple ,but very good.

I like this prelude ,so somtime I play it by piano.

But I cannot play as well as you play it　(T０T)

[GerardRatigan]

Thank you so much. I am not a good player, having started too late!

[GerardRatigan]

Thank you for commenting - I tuned it just before playing (415 Hz, Vallotti) with my electronic tuner (Korg OT 120) - perhaps my camera ?

[xanderion]

Nice tuner, that Korg one :-)

Only, I'm not sure about Vallotti being used for Bach's harpsichord pieces... I suppose that's the reason for D4 being heard out of tune.

[GerardRatigan]

Sure that Bach did not use Vallotti temperament. But this piece is in C major, and it should not be affected. But I must admit that *this* note sounds a bit of tune. So what ?

[Reverstar]

how much did the harpsicord costed to you?

[GerardRatigan]

Don't remember precisely. Something like 6800€, by the way.

[Tomahawk674]

Nice playing and nice harpsichord, although you may need to check your tuning on the upper range, or it could just be me.