Topic: A new adventure start: Bach Prelude n 1 BWV 870 WTC 2

Dear Friends,

I'd like to share my latest performance of J.S. Bach's Prelude No. 1 in C major, BWV 870, from Book II of The Well-Tempered Clavier.

This piece has always been a favorite of mine for its architectural beauty and rich polyphonic movement. This performance marks the beginning of an exciting new adventure for me, as I start sharing my musical journey and exploring Bach’s repertoire using Pianoteq to see how physical modeling handles these intricate works.
I would love to hear your thoughts on both the musical interpretation and the sound settings used. Any feedback or comments are greatly appreciated!

Thanks for listening Bach from Italy,

Carmelo

This video was played with these settings:
Played on Yamaha P125 piano stage, Tamara House.                                                                                        Video Recording Samsung galaxy A54.
VST: Hamburg Steinway D Pianoteq Stage 8.4
Editing: Wondershare Filmora
https://youtu.be/Qkjmfu6JzHQ

Re: A new adventure start: Bach Prelude n 1 BWV 870 WTC 2

Everything is beautifully played.
It's a difficult piece, especially since it has to be played quite quickly. You can use a sustain pedal, but Bach didn't have that option. Even today, many pianists don't use the sustain pedal when playing Bach, but instead strike the keyboard firmly and evenly, almost like an automaton.
I also suggest playing the same piece with different sounds. Piano, harpsichord, organ – each time the same piece sounds different, but it also plays differently, feels different under your fingers.
Bach didn't specify what instrument could be used to play the compositions from his collection "Das Wohltemperierte Klavier".

Greetings from Poland!
Piotr

Re: A new adventure start: Bach Prelude n 1 BWV 870 WTC 2

Hi Carmelo,

I don't have the background to provide a comment on your interpretation of this piece. I find it fascinating the intricate level of detail in the playing and this piece overall. A pleasure to listen to this sophisticated performance!

Best of luck on this new journey!

Ken

Re: A new adventure start: Bach Prelude n 1 BWV 870 WTC 2

carmelo.paolucci wrote:

Dear Friends,

I'd like to share my latest performance of J.S. Bach's Prelude No. 1 in C major, BWV 870, from Book II of The Well-Tempered Clavier.

This piece has always been a favorite of mine for its architectural beauty and rich polyphonic movement. This performance marks the beginning of an exciting new adventure for me, as I start sharing my musical journey and exploring Bach’s repertoire using Pianoteq to see how physical modeling handles these intricate works.
I would love to hear your thoughts on both the musical interpretation and the sound settings used. Any feedback or comments are greatly appreciated!

Thanks for listening Bach from Italy,

Carmelo

This video was played with these settings:
Played on Yamaha P125 piano stage, Tamara House.                                                                                        Video Recording Samsung galaxy A54.
VST: Hamburg Steinway D Pianoteq Stage 8.4
Editing: Wondershare Filmora
https://youtu.be/Qkjmfu6JzHQ


I understand that this is a difficult piece to play (as Rumburak is saying too;
”It's a difficult piece, especially since it has to be played quite quickly”).

But as usual, this piece is no problem for you. The speed is in complete control, almost virtuosic. Because you master the fundamentals of music so much, that you are capable of not only playing difficult pieces but also adjusting them to add personal touches. I think I said after the first pieces I heard from you that you have your own fantastic unique Carmelo-style, the ”touch”.

Have to say my personal opinion,(and we have the right to say it in this very kind forum) the human brain at its finest from the performer - you carmelo.

Thank you carmelo!

Best wishes,

Stig

The sound is ok, but could still be a little louder

Re: A new adventure start: Bach Prelude n 1 BWV 870 WTC 2

lovely Carmelo! i'm glad you're doing WTC2 now.  there are so many beautiful pieces in there.  looking forward to this journey.

Re: A new adventure start: Bach Prelude n 1 BWV 870 WTC 2

rumburak wrote:

Everything is beautifully played.
It's a difficult piece, especially since it has to be played quite quickly. You can use a sustain pedal, but Bach didn't have that option. Even today, many pianists don't use the sustain pedal when playing Bach, but instead strike the keyboard firmly and evenly, almost like an automaton.
I also suggest playing the same piece with different sounds. Piano, harpsichord, organ – each time the same piece sounds different, but it also plays differently, feels different under your fingers.
Bach didn't specify what instrument could be used to play the compositions from his collection "Das Wohltemperierte Klavier".

Greetings from Poland!
Piotr

Hi Piotr,
thank you so much for the kind words and for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful comment!
You make a great point about pedaling—finding the right balance between finger legato and modern piano resonance while keeping Bach’s clarity intact is always a fascinating challenge.
I usually play Bach without pedal, I use pedal only to "open sound" in some rare notes not for legato purposes.
I also completely agree about exploring different timbres; playing the same piece with a harpsichord or organ sound completely changes the touch, articulation, and how the voices sing.
Thanks again for listening, and warm greetings back to you from Italy !
Carmelo

Re: A new adventure start: Bach Prelude n 1 BWV 870 WTC 2

kencarlino wrote:

Hi Carmelo,

I don't have the background to provide a comment on your interpretation of this piece. I find it fascinating the intricate level of detail in the playing and this piece overall. A pleasure to listen to this sophisticated performance!

Best of luck on this new journey!

Ken

Thank you so much Ken for your comment and thoughts!
I'm really happy you've enjoyed my video.
Greetings from Italy
Carmelo

Re: A new adventure start: Bach Prelude n 1 BWV 870 WTC 2

Pianoteqenthusiast wrote:
carmelo.paolucci wrote:

Dear Friends,

I'd like to share my latest performance of J.S. Bach's Prelude No. 1 in C major, BWV 870, from Book II of The Well-Tempered Clavier.

This piece has always been a favorite of mine for its architectural beauty and rich polyphonic movement. This performance marks the beginning of an exciting new adventure for me, as I start sharing my musical journey and exploring Bach’s repertoire using Pianoteq to see how physical modeling handles these intricate works.
I would love to hear your thoughts on both the musical interpretation and the sound settings used. Any feedback or comments are greatly appreciated!

Thanks for listening Bach from Italy,

Carmelo

This video was played with these settings:
Played on Yamaha P125 piano stage, Tamara House.                                                                                        Video Recording Samsung galaxy A54.
VST: Hamburg Steinway D Pianoteq Stage 8.4
Editing: Wondershare Filmora
https://youtu.be/Qkjmfu6JzHQ


I understand that this is a difficult piece to play (as Rumburak is saying too;
”It's a difficult piece, especially since it has to be played quite quickly”).

But as usual, this piece is no problem for you. The speed is in complete control, almost virtuosic. Because you master the fundamentals of music so much, that you are capable of not only playing difficult pieces but also adjusting them to add personal touches. I think I said after the first pieces I heard from you that you have your own fantastic unique Carmelo-style, the ”touch”.

Have to say my personal opinion,(and we have the right to say it in this very kind forum) the human brain at its finest from the performer - you carmelo.

Thank you carmelo!

Best wishes,

Stig

The sound is ok, but could still be a little louder

Thank you very much for your comment, Stig, and for your kind words—which I truly hope I deserve!
As you know, I’m giving it my all with Bach. This new journey is a bit daunting; I know I’ll be encountering pieces that are increasingly difficult compared to what I’m used to, but I’ll tackle them with the right spirit and always strive to do my absolute best.
Thanks again from Italy.
Carmelo

Re: A new adventure start: Bach Prelude n 1 BWV 870 WTC 2

budo wrote:

lovely Carmelo! i'm glad you're doing WTC2 now.  there are so many beautiful pieces in there.  looking forward to this journey.

Thank you so much for your comment Budo !!!
I'm really happy you've enjoyed my video.
Greetings from Italy
Carmelo