5063 - 4 Inventions

J. S. Bach

arranged for brass quintet by Roger Harvey

Difficulty: Medium

Price: £30.00

Programme note:

Programme note:
The Two-Part Inventions are a set of 15 short keyboard pieces that serve as an essential part of the Baroque composer's educational repertoire. Composed around 1720, these works were originally intended for his young students, particularly his son, Wilhelm Friedemann Bach. They explore Bach’s masterful contrapuntal technique and were intended to offer both technical and musical training using a variety of techniques such as imitation, inversion, and augmentation. In addition they vary in mood, from the lively and spirited to the contemplative and lyrical, providing a comprehensive exploration of Baroque keyboard style. The tonal organization of the inventions, spanning nearly all major and minor keys, also reflects Bach's systematic approach to composition and pedagogy. The Two-Part Inventions remain a cornerstone of piano education today.
In this set of 4 the original music is always retained but it is shared between the 5 players in contrapuntal style and is coloured by additional textural and harmonic material.

Performance note:
Always be aware of the original lines and allow them to be prominant. Other music should be supportive but secondary. Where lines are shared between parts make sure that there is always a comfortable handover.

These pieces can be played as individual items or as a set. The F major Invention, No. 8, also published by BrassWorks (Catalogue 5011) and which features Horn and Trombone, could also be added to this set (probably between Nos. 6 and 13) as a 5th movement.