Johann Sebastian Bach: The Six Keyboard Partitas

Description

This edition presents the score of the Six Partitas as found in the Bach-Gesellschaft Ausgabe, published by Breitkopf und Hartel in 1853. The score itself is unaltered; performing suggestions are added in light grey. Bach did not use such terms as "ritenuto," "meno mosso," "piu mosso," "accelerando," "crescendo," and "diminuendo," and they are not used here. Instead, arrows pointing from right to left and from left to right indicate a gradual slowing down and speeding up respectively. A comma means a delay of the material that follows it. Arrows pointing up and down indicate changes of dynamics, intensity, and character of sound. A wavy line indicates a change of pace and a more improvisational manner of presentation. Staccato signs and accents have their conventional meaning. A short line over or under the note indicates a gentle separation between the notes, similar to "portamento." A longer line calls for additional vertical pressure on the note, similar to "marcato." There are multiple options for articulation, phrasing, and execution of the embellishments and repeats encountered in Bach's works for keyboard. Ultimately, it is up to each performer to pick just one of these options that feels right.