Keyboard instruments > Piano solo
Johann Sebastian Bach
Six Partitas BWV 825-830
Editor: Rudolf Steglich
Fingering: Hans-Martin Theopold
14.00 €
Urtext Edition, Study score, paperbound
Pages: 136 (IX, 127), Size 17,0 x 24,0 cm
Order no. HN 9028 · ISMN 979-0-2018-9028-9
Each one of Bach’s six Partitas features seven great single movements, predominantly in the sequence: Präludium - Allemande - Courante - Sarabande - [two free dances] - Gigue. These partitas can justifiably be described as Bach’s “ultimate” cycle of suites. As regards the artistic and manual demands, it goes far beyond its “English” (HN 100) and “French” (HN 71)siblings that are also frequently played. It is no coincidence that Bach only had these six partitas printed (1731), and what is more as “Opus 1".
Reviews
Henle maakt niet alleen goed leesbare bladmuziek, maar excelleert ook in compacte studiepartituren. Het aandachtig doorlezen en bestuderen van de notentekst is immers van even groot belang als het overwinnen van de technische moeilijkheden van een compositie. En hierin komt Henle je tegemoet met een handig formaat Urtext studiepartituren. ... Ondanks het kleinere formaat blijft de bladspiegel volkomen helder en overzichtelijk. Vingerzettingen, historisch voorwoord en kritisch commentaar complementeren deze uitgaven. Tip: lees tijdens een treinreis eens wat anders dan de krant en neem deze prachtige muziekliteratuur mee. Lees Bach, u zult tot rust komen en genieten!
[Pianowereld]
Contents
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Partita 1 B flat major BWV 825
Level of difficulty (Piano): medium (Level 5/6)Other titles with this level of difficulty »
ABRSM: Grade 7 (recommended)Other titles for this instrument and ABRSM grade » -
Partita 2 c minor BWV 826
Level of difficulty (Piano): difficult (Level 6/7)Other titles with this level of difficulty »
ABRSM: LRSMOther titles for this instrument and ABRSM grade » -
Partita 3 a minor BWV 827
Level of difficulty (Piano): medium (Level 6)Other titles with this level of difficulty » -
Partita 4 D major BWV 828
Level of difficulty (Piano): difficult (Level 6/7)Other titles with this level of difficulty »
ABRSM: FRSMOther titles for this instrument and ABRSM grade » -
Partita 5 G major BWV 829
Level of difficulty (Piano): medium (Level 6)Other titles with this level of difficulty »
ABRSM: LRSMOther titles for this instrument and ABRSM grade » -
Partita 6 e minor BWV 830
Level of difficulty (Piano): difficult (Level 6/7)Other titles with this level of difficulty »
ABRSM: FRSMOther titles for this instrument and ABRSM grade »
ABRSM: Grade 8 (recommended)Other titles for this instrument and ABRSM grade »
The levels of difficulty of the
piano music published by G. Henle Publishers
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| easy | medium | difficult | ||||||
The levels of difficulty of the piano music published by G. Henle Publishers
| Level | Grade | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | easy | Bach, Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach, nos. 4 and 5 |
| 2 | Bach, Well-Tempered Clavier I, no. 1 Prelude C major | |
| 3 | Beethoven, Piano Sonatas op. 49,1 and 2 | |
| 4 | medium | Grieg, Lyric Pieces op. 12, no. 4 |
| 5 | Schumann, Fantasy Pieces op. 12, no. 1 | |
| 6 | Chopin, Nocturnes op. 27, nos. 1 and 2 | |
| 7 | difficult | Beethoven, Piano Sonata op. 10, no. 3 |
| 8 | Beethoven, Piano Sonata op. 81a | |
| 9 | Schumann, Toccata op. 7 |
Guide to the levels of difficulty
"I don't know what 'difficult' means. Either you can play or you can't" – this was the rather terse comment by the great violinist Nathan Milstein, on being asked about the unbelievable difficulty of Niccolo Paganini's Caprice no. 1.
The relativity of the evaluation of difficulty in music immediately becomes clear. Yet I gladly take up this great challenge, presented to me by G. Henle Publishers. For I am aware of how useful a guide like this can be, both from my own experience as well as that of many colleagues. In particular so as to be able to identify "appropriate" works. For example for music teachers, who teach at very different levels, from beginners to those preparing for music conservatories, but also for all those interested amateurs for whom this guide is intended.
After careful deliberation I have settled on nine levels of difficulty, which I have divided into three groups: 1–3 (easy), 4–6 (medium), 7–9 (difficult). A number of parameters have been considered when assessing the level of difficulty. I have not just looked at the number of fast or slow notes to be played, or the chord sequences; of central importance are also the complexity of the piece's composition, its rhythmic complexities, the difficulty of reading the text for the first time, and last but not least, how easy or difficult it is to understand its musical structure. I have defined "piece" as being the musical unit of a sonata, or a single piece in a cycle, which is why Bach's "Well-Tempered Clavier" Part I comprises a total of 48 levels of difficulty (each prelude and fugue is considered separately), Schumann's Sonata in f sharp minor op.11 only has a single number. My assessment is measured by the ability to prepare a piece for performance.
While assessing the pieces, it became clear that the medium level of difficulty (4–6) is the trickiest. Now and again this means that a piece is judged as a "3/4", even if it only deserved a "3" as far as piano technique is concerned. An example of such a "borderline" case (easy/medium) is Schumann's "Scenes from Childhood" op. 15 Von fremden Ländern und Menschen or at the other end "6/7" part of Bach's "English Suites". And of course within a main category there are also "from-to" evaluations (e.g. 7/8).
Any evaluation of art or music will always be subjective, even if the aim was to be objective. Despite the fact that I have endeavoured to be as careful as possible, I am all too aware that the results of my work can be called into question, and am therefore grateful for any suggestions you might have.
Prof. Rolf Koenen © 2010