Topic: J.S. Bach WTC II Nr.22 BWV 891 Prelude on Organteq, and others

Since April 2023, I’ve been attempting to play through all the pieces of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier Book II. As I’ve completed 22 pieces so far, this is the prelude of 23rd piece for me, the latest one.

All of my WTC 2 series have been performed using either Pianoteq or Organteq except one played on organ before purchasing Organteq. They feature a variety of instruments, including a modern piano set to Werckmeister III, clavichord, harpsichord, historical fortepiano.

This time, I’ve used the organteq.
YAMAHA CLP-875, Organteq 2.1.2, Baroque Cathedral
https://youtu.be/R8QutP705eE

The first piece I played was BWV 870, and it was performed on a modern piano.
https://youtu.be/oJvsWS29tb8

Here is the playlist for the Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P...BaFIZD2WTn

I check the Pianoteq and Organteq forums every day, though I hadn’t looked at this forum until recently. When I visited it again, I noticed about carmelo.paolucci’s journeys with the Well-Tempered Clavier, and thought I’d share mine as well. I’d be happy if anyone is interested!

Re: J.S. Bach WTC II Nr.22 BWV 891 Prelude on Organteq, and others

i say keep em coming! i've really been enjoying Carmelo's journey through WTC 1 and would love to see more of your stuff.  it's great to see people's work ...

btw how do you like the Privia?  i'm considering replacing my midiboard with something new and that's one i've been pondering.

Re: J.S. Bach WTC II Nr.22 BWV 891 Prelude on Organteq, and others

Thank you for your kind comment.


Privia? Yes, I had a Casio PS-X1000 for four years. However, I don't think I'm the best person to comment on Privia.
In fact, I was dissatisfied with its touch and ended up replacing it with a Yamaha CLP-875 last summer.
I restarted playing piano four years ago, and at that time, I purchased the PS-X1000. It was sufficient and satisfying for practicing exercises like Hanon and simple pieces, but within a few months, I started to feel dissatisfied. The short pivot length was the main reason for this. For example, playing trills between black and white keys was quite challenging.
I know that newer models, such as the PS-X7000, have a good reputation despite the short pivot length, and I’ve tried them in stores and felt that they have certainly improved. Even so, I don't think I would go with Casio. 
In my opinion, the CLP-875 is currently the best digital piano, including its touch.
That said, factors like portability may play a role, and you might know more about keyboards than I do.

Anyway, I will continue my WTC series on my channel, and I might share some of them on this forum.

Once again, thank you!

Re: J.S. Bach WTC II Nr.22 BWV 891 Prelude on Organteq, and others

Hey!

The ones you've shared are great. I particularly like your willingness to try 'period' sounds.

Modern organ playing promotes a détaché touch (each note distinct, but no where as short as staccato) this might help with some of those leaps in the left hand. Also by holding notes down they will automatically stand out when you want to promote the entries of Dux and Comes for example.

I did feel at times your tempo wasn't even more so over passages you were perhaps more familiar with?

Overall a great addition to the forum and like Budo said, "Keep 'em coming!"

Well Done !!!

Re: J.S. Bach WTC II Nr.22 BWV 891 Prelude on Organteq, and others

DEZ, thank you for your comment.

I’m interested in period instruments and would love to try instruments like the Lautenwerk and fortepianos by Silbermann, which Bach is said to have owned. I purchased the Harp pack to emulate the Lautenwerk, and my performance of No.19 BWV 888 was one such attempt.
https://youtu.be/bPl1UFbO7-Y
I really love Pianoteq's ability to create new instruments, though my own ability in that area is quite limited.

I’ve never formally studied organ or harpsichord techniques, so your insights are very helpful. Perhaps I should apply them to the Fugue No. 22, which I plan to play next, though it might be challenging for me to do so.

Your comment was truly encouraging. Thank you very much!

Re: J.S. Bach WTC II Nr.22 BWV 891 Prelude on Organteq, and others

Hello Triton, and welcome to this sub-forum.

Like budo and DEZ, I'm also very glad you found this forum. I would very much like to listen to your Bach recordings. Hope you upload some regularly. I follow carmelo's journey too and am interested in Bach's music.

I was the first to upload Organteq 1 music on 29.11.2019 when it was launched and have regularly played and uploaded music since then, both Organteq and pianoteq. On my Youtube there is soon  700 pieces Orgtq, Ptq, many Bach and especially organ music by many unknown composers, and growing all the time.

Attached are two examples of my playing. Everything is of course here too, but a bit difficult to find as one's music quickly drowns in the uploaded amount of music.
I agree as they said,  well done Triton and keep em coming. Nice to have you on board

Best wishes,

Stig 

Bach 552

https://forum.modartt.com/viewtopic.php?id=11714

H M Higgs   Miniature No 11 (was as demo piece on their site at the time.)

https://forum.modartt.com/viewtopic.php?id=11687

I,m playing the pedal from the keyboard on different track, don't have money yet for pedalboard.

Re: J.S. Bach WTC II Nr.22 BWV 891 Prelude on Organteq, and others

Triton wrote:

I’m interested in period instruments and would love to try instruments like the Lautenwerk and fortepianos by Silbermann, which Bach is said to have owned. I purchased the Harp pack to emulate the Lautenwerk, and my performance of No.19 BWV 888 was one such attempt.

Hi

Have you downloaded the free KIViR instruments? There are two nice harpsichords (Grimaldi and Blanchet) and a Neupert Clavichord to try. On the harpsichords the second pedal engages the buff stop and produces a 'lute'-like sound you might want to try or you may want to go wild and engage the bassoon stop on the third pedal for the rattle it produces.

I think playing Bach on plucked string instruments adds a gentle and pleasant tone to all the intricate weave of melodic lines.

Thanks for sharing your harped version of BWV 891 Nr 22 - most enjoyable!

Re: J.S. Bach WTC II Nr.22 BWV 891 Prelude on Organteq, and others

Hi Stig,

Thank you for your warm comment and sharing your BVW 552 and work of Higgs. I really enjoy your playing especially Bach. BVW 552 is my favorite, and like your registration.

I haven't played original organ works because I don't have pedals, but I want to play them someday. I also haven't tried multi-track recordings yet, but I might try them for works like piano duets, pieces for two pianos, or organ works like you did, it's hard to me though.

Thank you again, I really appreciate.

Re: J.S. Bach WTC II Nr.22 BWV 891 Prelude on Organteq, and others

Hi DEZ,

Yes downloading the free staff was the first thing I did when I purchased ptq standard with Kremsegg collection #2. And I've used clavichord and harpsichords in some recordings. But apparently I should check buff stop or bassoon stop once more. Thank you your suggestions.

BTW, I have purchased various instruments packs from time to time, modern pianos, harps, Kremsegg #1, Karsten collection, Ruckers harpsichord, and now at last I've go with studio bundle. I love ptq too much!

I'm glad to hear you enjoy my recordings.
Thank you so much!

Re: J.S. Bach WTC II Nr.22 BWV 891 Prelude on Organteq, and others

Triton wrote:

Since April 2023, I’ve been attempting to play through all the pieces of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier Book II. As I’ve completed 22 pieces so far, this is the prelude of 23rd piece for me, the latest one.

All of my WTC 2 series have been performed using either Pianoteq or Organteq except one played on organ before purchasing Organteq. They feature a variety of instruments, including a modern piano set to Werckmeister III, clavichord, harpsichord, historical fortepiano.

This time, I’ve used the organteq.
YAMAHA CLP-875, Organteq 2.1.2, Baroque Cathedral
https://youtu.be/R8QutP705eE

The first piece I played was BWV 870, and it was performed on a modern piano.
https://youtu.be/oJvsWS29tb8

Here is the playlist for the Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P...BaFIZD2WTn

I check the Pianoteq and Organteq forums every day, though I hadn’t looked at this forum until recently. When I visited it again, I noticed about carmelo.paolucci’s journeys with the Well-Tempered Clavier, and thought I’d share mine as well. I’d be happy if anyone is interested!

Dear Triton,                         
You did really a wonderful work on WTC 2. I'm apprecciating your video so much !
Thank you for sharing !
Carmelo

Re: J.S. Bach WTC II Nr.22 BWV 891 Prelude on Organteq, and others

Dear Carmelo,
Thank you very much. I'm so glad to receive YOUR comment. I don't think I would have shared my recordings if I hadn't seen your posts.

I plan to play WTC 1 as well after I complete WTC 2. Actually, I've already started, and I've recorded two. This is one of them (c-moll).
Hope you enjoy it.

YAMAHA CLP-875
Pianoteq 8.4.0  Harpsichord: Grimaldi

https://youtu.be/j_MO60gkLF4
https://youtu.be/yZuxxxDd0rg

Re: J.S. Bach WTC II Nr.22 BWV 891 Prelude on Organteq, and others

Triton wrote:

I plan to play WTC 1 as well after I complete WTC 2. I wish you well with you project!

C-moll Prelude
===========

Oops, oops and oops .

I had to smile at your brave attempt at playing this at speed.

I would advise you to keep your touch lighter, you'll find it easier to move between the notes and you won't be fighting yourself and less likely to hit double notes. The harpsichord is a very different instrument to the piano, the action was more delicate. Also by playing with a lighter touch and a higher wrist you will be able to bring your hand down to hold certain notes longer and bring them out such as the bass when it descends C-Bb-Ab in bar 18 for example as well as emphasising the Dominant Pedal bass in 25-27 before the dazzling entry of Bar 28 to be taken at a much quicker pace - all possible if you don't use too much energy hitting the notes.

NOTE: When talking about a higher wrist this is a subtle change to hand position and nothing extreme! You are aiming for a relaxed execution. You don't need to dominate the beast with strength you can bring out the best by tickling instead - if you understand what I mean ???

Well done ! Keep going !!!

Re: J.S. Bach WTC II Nr.22 BWV 891 Prelude on Organteq, and others

Oh, DEZ,
Thank you for your detailed comment. I really appreciate and know how you hear my recordings exactly.

But actually, I'm feeling some frustration about certain aspects. There are some things that are very difficult to convey in my poor English, and they are related to the CLP-875.

Originally, I would relax my hand immediately after playing a key. However, after replacing my instrument with the CLP-875 last summer, I noticed that if I relax immediately after playing, I feel the hammer returning, the sound cuts off, and then the sound plays again (due to the weight of my finger). This is critical for a harpsichord without velocity sensitivity, and it directly leads to double notes. When I tried it out at the store, I didn't notice this because it was using the internal sound source. After purchasing it, I realized this and was quite troubled because I couldn't play the harpsichord.

To eliminate this, I'm intentionally using a strong touch to prevent double notes, but I know that this is not a good thing. In the future, if I use the CLP-875 as a MIDI controller, I may not use it for harpsichord.
Actually, there is a harpsichord workshop near my house, and I have touched a real instrument, so I know how light it is.

I’ve tried to tell YAMAHA technical centre, but I don’t know whether it will improve or not. With counter weight, CLP-885 might be better but I don’t know exactly.

I will continue to move forward while struggling with this issue. If I have fewer opportunities to use the harpsichord in the future, this is the reason.

Re: J.S. Bach WTC II Nr.22 BWV 891 Prelude on Organteq, and others

Triton wrote:

Dear Carmelo,
Thank you very much. I'm so glad to receive YOUR comment. I don't think I would have shared my recordings if I hadn't seen your posts.

I plan to play WTC 1 as well after I complete WTC 2. Actually, I've already started, and I've recorded two. This is one of them (c-moll).
Hope you enjoy it.

YAMAHA CLP-875
Pianoteq 8.4.0  Harpsichord: Grimaldi

https://youtu.be/j_MO60gkLF4
https://youtu.be/yZuxxxDd0rg

Dear Triton,

I'm really happy that you published your wonderful work on WTC2 Bach. I saw your first videos on WTC1 and I liked both the choice of instrument and your execution of the 2nd fugue.
Without going into the technical merit of the prelude, a topic that DEZ faced very well, I would give you a small suggestion: Slow down the tempo of the first part slightly to be able to pick up the speed with which you started here in the Presto. This is to be able to have the effect similar to an "explosion" in this part.
The more relaxed you play the faster my old Master said.
You did and are doing a great job! Continues ! We will always be happy to listen to you!
Carmelo

Re: J.S. Bach WTC II Nr.22 BWV 891 Prelude on Organteq, and others

Dear Carmelo,

Thank you for your kind comment and advice.
I think I understand what you mean. Slow down, yes, and I might need a mentor.

Thank you again, I really appreciate.

Re: J.S. Bach WTC II Nr.22 BWV 891 Prelude on Organteq, and others

Dear all,

Thank you all who give me comments and view this topic. Thanks to you, I think I've gained a new perspective.
My status now is, I love music especially Bach's, that's all. Haha.
I might share my recordings some day again, I hope.

Thank you so much.
budo, Stig, and especially DEZ, Carmelo!

Re: J.S. Bach WTC II Nr.22 BWV 891 Prelude on Organteq, and others

Triton wrote:

Thank you all who give me comments and viewed this topic. Thanks to you, I think I've gained a new perspective.

Dear Triton,

Your additions to this forum are most welcome! I love to hear others playing well and YOU DO PLAY WELL.

The small suggestions are to help you polish your performance further, we all strive to reach higher and higher goals - that's the nature of accomplishment. You have already accomplished a lot - more than most.

Keep going and sharing it would be a shame to have you go silent! We would miss your enthusiasm and youthful vigour - so keep dazzling us with your talent!

Hope to see more of your Bach pieces in the very near future !!!

DEZ

Re: J.S. Bach WTC II Nr.22 BWV 891 Prelude on Organteq, and others

Dear DEZ,

Thank you so much for your kind and warm comment!
Yes, I know your kindness and what you want to do for others, including me.
I might post other recordings, because I love music, Bach, Organteq, and Pianoteq!

Thank you again!