Invention No. 8 in F major, BWV 779

History

Invention No. 8 in F major, BWV 779 belongs to Bach's two-part Inventions. The earlier teaching notebook for Wilhelm Friedemann was begun in Köthen on 22 January 1720. Bach made a separate fair copy of the collection in 1723, revising its presentation and order. These dates mark stages in the collection's history, not the exact day this individual piece was composed. The collection reached print in 1801, long after Bach's lifetime.

Sources

• henle.de
• bachvereniging.nl

What to listen for

1. 1

   An opening idea alone

   After an eighth rest, the upper voice outlines F, A, F, C and F. The lower staff is silent. Listen for one recognizable musical idea rather than separate notes.

2. 2

   The lower voice answers

   The lower voice repeats the opening F-based idea while the upper voice moves into a quicker descending pattern. Hear the two strands as a conversation.

3. 3

   The voices exchange material

   The lower voice takes up the quicker descending pattern while an upper voice outlines a rising F-based shape. Follow the material as it moves between registers.

4. 4

   Two different rhythms together

   The upper voice repeats a quick A-C-B-flat-C figure while the lower voice moves in broader eighth notes. Keep both lines audible without forcing them into the same accents.

How to practise it

Keep the imitating lines clear as their active roles change.

1. Include the opening rest.
2. Keep the answering lower figure clear.
3. Preserve the longer line when another voice becomes faster.

How hard is it

About this piece

Collection

A conversation in two voices

Licence

CC0

Source

musescore.com

More by Johann Sebastian Bach

1. 1Prelude in C major, BWV 846Level 4, estimatedOpen to everyone
2. 2Two-Part Invention No. 1 in C major, BWV 772Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
3. 3Italian Concerto in F major, BWV 971: III. PrestoLevel 9, estimatedWith Maestro