Take variation #8 for example, there are many bars where you need to cross your hands to play two voices at the same time: some are in the first section and some are in the second section. How do I go about to make it work?
Below is one hand crossing part from the variation 8 from Bach's hand written version (first edition of the publication of the Goldberg Variations, from IMSLP Public Domain resources)
To read the notation it is worth noting that the third clef is often used by Bach to keep his writing clean. The middle line snugged in the third clef refers to middle C! If you try to play this passage on the piano, you will find that in the last two bars your hands will need to cross each other before they "untie" again. Because variation 8 is heavily constructed with busy 16th notes throughout, it is considered to be a fast piece, thus making crossing hands part challenging. Just imagine playing crossing hands in a fast tempo without missing any note!
(Should you find this hand-written version hard to read, please read on the modern re-written version of the Goldberg Variations below. The graph shown in the hand written version contains measures 9 to 12, and the modern version below contains measure 11 to 12.)
Apparently Bach did not write down any fingerings and had left a big chunk of work to performers to do the homework. To me working out fingerings is quite an exercise. However I believe it is tremendously rewarding: not only it builds my confidence in solving problems by myself, it also helps me establish a good habit to sight read in a detailed, careful manner. The good news is that once you take the trouble to dive into the score and analyse it, the result is quite foreseeable.
I feel that nowadays piano learners are very used to following instructions from their teachers and relying on the readily edited score. Hence the ability for a learner to figure out a solution or to develop their own judgement is lost. We have a tendency to expect everything to happen fast. However, Bach is the kind of repertoire that takes patience. Haste does not bring good result.
Comentários