Exploring Bach's Keyboard Works Across Different Instruments

Many prefer hearing Johann Sebastian Bach's keyboard works on the harpsichord or the clavichord as these instruments closely represent the timbre and style of the Baroque period. However, from a musician's perspective, the experience can change dramatically. As a player, one seeks an intimate musical conversation with Bach, playing his pieces on the instrument he himself would have preferred. This article delves into the different keyboard instruments and their unique qualities in interpreting Bach's works.

Harpsichord: A Timeless Echo

When Bach wrote his harpsichord works, the harpsichord was the dominant keyboard instrument. Itstwinkling sounds have an otherworldliness that evokes the open skies at night and the twinkling of stars. True, a uniform volume throughout the instrument can make it difficult to hear subtle contrasts in dynamics, but this very characteristic allows the musical structure and melodic flourishes to be more readily discernible. For an authentic and timeless experience, performing Bach's harpsichord pieces on a genuine harpsichord is paramount. This is how the maestro himself heard and played the piece 350 years ago, reaching out to him through the centuries.

Clavichord: A Private Conversation

The clavichord, being much quieter, is more intimate and personal. A quiet keyboard instrument, it is not about showmanship but private enjoyment between a small group of friends in a smaller room. The clavichord's unique mechanism, in which the strings vibrate under the tangent by a metal blade, creates a different sound compared to the harpsichord. Its limitations add to its charm and enchantment. For pieces like "The Well-Tempered Clavichord," an actual clavichord is the ideal instrument to appreciate Bach's nuances and to have a musical conversation with him.

Piano: An Instrumental Evolution

Bach was aware of and played early pianos, contributing to their development. Modern pianos, however, differ fundamentally from their early counterparts in their tonal quality, which is uniform throughout the range. Bach's specification for the Goldberg Variations on a two-manual harpsichord suggests he would have preferred an authentic early piano. Performing Bach's harpsichord pieces on a modern piano, while expressing versatility and projective qualities, may deviate from the composer's original intentions. An early Viennese piano, with its tonal variations, would offer a more authentic experience.

The ideal scenario would be to have all these early keyboard instruments in one room, playing a Bach piece on each before attempting to do it on a modern piano. This multi-instrument approach deepens our understanding and appreciation of how to play Bach on the modern piano. Unique perspectives from different instruments reveal the richness and complexity of Bach's compositions.

For an audience member, the modern grand piano, especially a Steinway, offers the best combination of expressive and projective qualities, ideal for concert halls. After the concert, one can retreat to a living room, reliving the experience on a personal and humble keyboard instrument, fostering an intimate conversation with Bach.

Ultimately, the context and the player's role significantly affect the choice of instrument for Bach's keyboard works. While some pieces are best played on specific historical instruments, others can be appreciated on modern pianos, providing the opportunity to delve into the complexities and nuances of Bach's music.