The Tempo Implications of Bach's Notation: Part 2-The Dance Suites

This research into the tempos of Bachs dance music answers the age-old question How fast should this piece be? Because Bachs tempo often differs from current performance practice this research transforms our understanding of his music. Bachs principal suites encompass over 200 movements and include nineteen suites for harpsichord two for lute three for violin and six for cello. These iconic pieces are played at widely varying tempos today leading to diverse musical effects. Because Bach must have had specific musical effects in mind many of todays interpretations must be contrary to his intentions. In this book the author draws on his previously published research into Bachs proportional method for establishing tempo and applies that method to these dance movements. By examining contemporaneous descriptions of the dance and also its music the author uncovers the following about the tempo implications of Bachs titles: - The titles Allemande and Sarabande indicate that the omission of thirty-second notes does not affect tempo.- The title Courante indicates that the inclusion of sixteenth notes does not affect tempo.- The title Gigue has the same effect as does the fast performance marking Presto. - All other dance titles have no tempo implications. After perusing this book the musician will be able to determine Bachs intended tempo for any Bach dance movement. He needs only to identify the title time signature tactus speed and shortest note value. By establishing Bachs intended tempos the musician will also discover Bachs intended musical effects. This book is for classical musicians musicologists music students dance historians and anyone who appreciates Bachs music. Thoroughly researched and meticulously documented it includes over 180 musical examples and dozens of figures and tables. It includes a bibliography and it also includes an index of cited Bach works sorted by BWV number. This research is presented so that an amateur musician will be able to follow the arguments.