As mentioned in 'Articulation', this music could have been played on a clavichord as well as a harpsichord. The one instrument Bach would not have had in mind was a piano!

A modern piano-based performance that emulates the rapid-fire single or step dynamics of the harpsichord will fail to do the music justice. That said, the tone will not be in any way 'Romantic'. The ideal will combine both simplicity and warmth.

This bright performance demonstrates some careful use of tonal gradation to show the phrasing, without any trace of romanticism.

Find out how to help your students to achieve a higher degree of fluency in the Practice Tips, Teaching Strategies and Trouble Shooting sections.