Taught by renowned instructor
Magdalena Stern-Baczewska
Columbia University professor Magdalena Stern-Baczewska presents a course on the dance music of J.S. Bach, dispelling myths, misconceptions, and teaching the intricacies of the various dance forms that would have been common knowledge in Bach’s time.
Introduction to Bach’s Dance Suites
Magdalena Stern-Baczewska presents an introdouction to her course on the dance music of J.S. Bach, dispelling myths, misconceptions, and teaching the intricacies of the various dance forms that would have been common knowledge in Bach’s time. With references and quotes by other composers and colleagues of Bach, we gain insights into how to perform and interpret these many masterpieces for the keyboard.
Prelude
Magdalena Stern-Baczewska teaches and discusses the many different types of preludes that can be found across Bach's dance suites: from the Sinfonia, to the Praeambulum, the French overture and more! She also traces the development of the genre with the unmeasured preludes of Louis Couperin and Jean-Philippe Rameau.
Allemande
Magdalena Stern-Baczewska teaches and discusses the first "core" movement of a dance suite: the Allemande. In addition to sharing a wide variety of allemandes from Bach keyboard suites, Magdalena also presents a "crash course" in figured bass, as well as an in-depth exploration of the style brisé ("broken style") of keyboard playing influenced by lute music.
Courante
Magdalena Stern-Baczewska teaches the courante in this lesson, revealing the differences between the French courante and the Italian corrente. In addition she shows the fascinating metric and rhythmic attributes of this dance, illimunating its inherent "jazziness."
Sarabande
Magdalena Stern-Baczewska teaches the sarabande in this lesson: the 3rd core dance that contains surprising expression and origins. Magdalena also explains how to emulate other instruments in your playing in different idiomatic passages, the ornamentation, importance of the 2nd beat, and pedaling considerations!
Gigue
Magdalena Stern-Baczewska teaches the Gigue in this lesson, explaining the difference between the French "Gigue" and Italian "Giga". She discusses the rhythmic intricacies, stylistic considerations and ornamentations typical of this lively dance.
Minuet
Magdalena Stern-Baczewska teaches the charming Minuet in this lesson, showing how to understand "good" and "bad" measures, rhythmic peculiarities foreshadowing modern jazz, how to improvise your own transitions, and important structural components.
Other Dances
Magdalena Stern-Baczewska teaches "the other dances" in this lesson. Starting with the Bourèe, she continues to describe the styles and characterisics of the Gavotte, Musette, Anglaise, Air, and Loure. In addition, Magdalena describes how to emulate different instruments particularly in the left hand, and even options for playing in different octaves to emulate the harpsichord!
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Unlock Course →"Columbia University professor by day, musical sorceress by night,” Magdalena Stern-Baczewska leads a career of dizzying breadth and depth: performances with the world's leading orchestras; touring with Bach's Goldberg Variations on both piano and harpsichord; daring genre crossover projects; and best-selling albums of music for sleep based on the latest research.
read full bio →Explore 1,000+ in-depth lessons taught by GRAMMY winners, Juilliard professors, and world-renowned performers, covering everything from timeless repertoire to advanced technique and artistry.
