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Baroque · courante

Courante from French Suite No. 1 in D minor, BWV 812

Johann Sebastian Bach · Level 6, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

A pupil's copy preserves a richly decorated dance. Courante from French Suite No. 1 in D minor, BWV 812 is a courante by Johann Sebastian Bach from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 6, an estimate.

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  • courante
  • Baroque
  • stormy

Also known as Bach Johann Sebastian - Französische Suite Nr 1 - 2- Courante.

History

For this Courante, performer Francesco Corti used a manuscript copied by Bach's pupil Heinrich Nicolaus Gerber. The Netherlands Bach Society discusses its numerous ornaments as support for a measured French-courante character. A pupil's written transmission becomes evidence in a modern performance choice, not a command for every edition.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. A short upper pickup connects forward

    Hear the opening pickup lead into the moving voices rather than becoming a separate accented phrase.

  2. Descending figures reach the first repeat

    Related falling responses continue toward the repeat close. Follow their direction across the changing registers.

  3. Contrasting upper replies change pitch groups

    The second span develops changing colours and upper answers. Compare their shapes with the earlier descending figures.

  4. Descending responses complete the final span

    The last falling replies lead to the second repeat. Hear their phrase ending without renumbering the separate source pickup.

How to practise it

Keep the opening line clear above the long lower foundation.

  1. Connect the pickup.
  2. Preserve independent ties.
  3. Hear the later moving lower answer.

How hard is it

Level 6, estimated

Pickup timing, several moving voices, tied lower notes and mordents combine rhythmic coordination with articulation and ornament control. The estimate concerns observed texture, not certified whole-suite difficulty.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Johann Sebastian Bach, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Licence
CC0
Source
musescore.com

More by Johann Sebastian Bach

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

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Keep the opening line clear above the long lower foundation.

Practise it in PlayPiano