Taught by renowned instructor
Magdalena Stern-Baczewska
Whereas a piece like the Minuet in G trains the hands and the mind to play varied, mostly scalar patterns in two-part counterpoint, Bach's Little Prelude in C minor trains you to think in terms of vertical harmonies, which Bach unfolds up from the bass line in the form of broken chords. In this lesson, Magdalena Stern-Baczewska reveals how Bach conceived of preludes like this one in terms of shorthand notation known as "figured bass." Understanding this compositional design will give you a strong framework for learning the notes of the work and executing it physically. Stern-Baczewska walks you through the brief, yet dramatic, prelude, giving both musical and technical insights that will help you control the arpeggiated right-hand figurations and deliver a breathtaking performance.
Little Prelude in C minor, BWV 999
Whereas a piece like the Minuet in G trains the hands and the mind to play varied, mostly scalar patterns in two-part counterpoint, Bach's Little Prelude in C minor trains you to think in terms of vertical harmonies, which Bach unfolds up from the bass line in the form of broken chords. In this lesson, Magdalena Stern-Baczewska reveals how Bach conceived of preludes like this one in terms of shorthand notation known as "figured bass." Understanding this compositional design will give you a strong framework for learning the notes of the work and executing it physically. Stern-Baczewska walks you through the brief, yet dramatic, prelude, giving both musical and technical insights that will help you control the arpeggiated right-hand figurations and deliver a breathtaking performance.
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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.
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