Ed Brye plays Bach-Liszt Fugue (The Great) in G Minor (BWV 542)

Bach-Liszt Fugue ("the great") in G Minor (BWV 542).
This "great fugue" is one of Liszt's piano transcriptions of preludes and fugues that Bach had composed for organ. Learning this piece was, for me, a "technical adventure" that combined the technique of Bach and Liszt. I have not yet seen this great fugue performed live or on video-recording, but applaud and recommend Leslie Howard for his audio-recording. On a personal and interpretive note, the great fugue conveys to me a sustained and intensifying sense of joy that is uplifting. - Enjoy!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• classical
• piano
• Bach
• organ
• fugue
• Liszt
• transcription
• Cliburn
• amateur
• contest
• BWV
• 542
• minor

[TheBaroquecomposer]

I have never heard the piano transcription of this fugue, good tempo, the only thing is how you treat the theme, way too staccato and the end of every melodic line, example 2:26, the moving bass, could you play non legato on the first beat of every meassure? 4:07, way too staccato, i think you could play in general more non legato. The endig was suddenly very romantic with octaves in bass and a accelerando,that did not fit the piece very well!Besides that you play very good. Regard from oganist

[Edbrye2008]

@TheBaroquecomposer Since it was (romantic pianist/composter/performer) Liszt who transcribed for piano this organ piece by Bach, I grapple with baroque vs. romantic interpretations. Liszt was on the newer grand piano with greater capacity due to the stronger frame at the time. Dover's urtext as well as Schirmer and Paderewski editions vary. For example, tenuto (held longer than staccato) is called for with the Schirmer edition, but no tenuto is indicated in the urtext. Thanks for writing. Ed.

[TheBaroquecomposer]

Hey Ed, I think its important to keep in mind that this not a piece by Liszt,its not a romantic piece:) I This is a baroque fugue by Js Bach,transcribed by liszt for piano,maybe he added some slurings and staccato dots, but that is a romantic interpretation of one of the greatest organfuges. I think you should think more about how is this historicaly performed (how did Bach view he music and what is it that he want to shear with this piece), what Liszt ment is irrelevant, not hes piece:)

[Edbrye2008]

Granting that, allowances are permitted for interpretations of a piece that was composed in another musical era. The topic is subjective and even philosophical. - If you have played this fugue on the organ, how does it go for you? Do you run into any interpretive issues?

[Giangy4]

HOW MUCH IS YOUR PIANO???? !!!!

[Edbrye2008]

@Giangy4 . This is a Steinway "A".

[mikegotteri]

Bach - Thunderclap Newman Stylee! lol ;-)

[TheLastMyztery]

Way too much staccato! Way too much.

[bonobo2go]

I am not a keyboard player...but on hearing this at a recital recently (on a beautiful church organ in Chesterfield - recitalist Nigel Gotteri) I have bought a keyboard and want to learn (even a simplified version). This version is very clear....I can hear what both hands are doing...and thus it will help me to learn. I KNOW I will never play to a very high standard but if it pleases me then all is good. Thank you to Edbrye for posting. :-)

[kerawelt]

Man! This is absolutely magnificent. To overcome such a piece must be a hell of a nightmare...

Congratulations !

[jmixplizik]

u have total control. its impressive.

[seahyimin]

impeccable performce. this piece should be performed more often