Bach: Prelude and Fugue in D minor, BWV 875, on clavichord

J.S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue in D minor, BWV 875, from The Well-Tempered Clavier, on replica Stein 1787 clavichord.

This replica of Johann Andreas Stein's 1787 single-strung, unfretted clavichord, built by Jack Peters of Seattle ( http://www.jackpeters.com ), is based on the sole surviving example in Gemeentemuseum at The Hague. It is an instrument with a double-pinned bridge that has a small footprint on a small soundboard. About this instrument, Jack Peters writes:

"An atypical single strung historical clavichord. The piano maker Stein was known for his ingenious inventions, including the 'Melodica' and the 'Saitenharmonica.' Starting as an organ builder he evolved into a celebrated fortepiano maker to the Mozarts. His late, 1787, 54-note (C-f3) clavichord in the Hague Gemeentemuseum is a model of compactness and restraint. Not only short but also very narrow, the stringband is squeezed onto a tiny bridge and soundboard. The sound is surprisingly Viennese-pianolike and its extended treble allows the music of late composers like Haydn and C.P.E. Bach. John Koster, in his article in De Clavichordio I, points out the great differences between it and the earlier Mozart clavichord now in the Hungarian National Museum (1762). Wound strings are critical to the success of the bass octave, as are the heavy iron and phosphor bronze for the single strings of the treble. The extremely narrow tangents must be regulated with great precision." ---- Jack Peters replicator and builder in Seattle.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Haydn
• Sonata
• Stein
• clavichord
• JackPeters

[BachScholar]

The teafruitbat returns! Great tempo on the fugue, most play it too fast. Nice memory also!

[teafruitbat]

Thank you! Yes, I've had a bit of a summer hiatus, but another new clavichord in my stable has gotten me started again. I agree on the fugue tempo: that chromatic line calls for restraint even from my impetuous self. And, my memory seems to be improving of late---I need to exercise it more, and have more confidence in it!

[srbiruga]

i had a dream with this piece yesterday without knowing it, but in my dream i knew it was bach and in d minor. when i woke up i thought that this piece had never existed because i knew the d minor fugue from book 1 and it wasnt that piece. so when i saw the sheet music from this 875 i was like FUCK YEA!

[Clavichordist]

Awesome!

How is the volume on the single-strung instrument compared to the double-strung instrument? Louder? Is it easier to play bebung? My double strung unfretted instrument is very difficult to play bebung on.

[elotrain]

Hypnotizing

[connie3112]

Bravo! You've got feeling and heart for this masterpiece. Lovely touch. Commented by a ten year old. Used her sister's account.

[eskatee]

Wonderful! Thanks!

[adumsalsa]

i have to learn the last page of this and the fugue by january :( haha it shall be funnn :)

[cuykryshna]

me gusta mas que las interpretaciones en piano

[isomolle]

I came upon this beautiful piece of music quite accidentally, while sipping my Sunday morning coffee. Bach is one of favourite composers, and I love the sound of this instrument.

[ngroschen]

It's difficult for me to fathom how someone hit the dislike button.

Hopefully it was a mistake, and they flogged themselves upon realizing they'd hit the wrong button.

[wantonsonor]

Dear teafruitbat,

It is an absolute pleasure to listen to you. The interpretation and attention to voicing is just gorgeous, thank you for sharing your beautiful performances!