PlayPiano
The short answer
Sarabande, French Suite No. 6, BWV 817 is a sarabande by Johann Sebastian Bach from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 7, an estimate.
- sarabande
- Baroque
- Key of E major
- dreamy
- gentle
- ornaments
- voicing
Also known as French Suite No. 6 in E major, BWV 817; J. S. Bach.
History
A dotted upper gesture expands into a written-out neighboring-note alternation above held harmony. Later, one supporting voice moves while others sustain. Keep the decoration connected to the quiet sonority beneath it.
Sources
What to listen for
Colour above a held sound
The upper G-sharp and F-sharp alternate rapidly while longer supporting notes remain. Hear the quick movement as colour over the harmony.
Movement inside the support
In the next position a lower voice moves in sixteenths beneath held upper notes. Listen beyond the highest line.
How to practise it
- Keep sustained and moving voices audible without making the supporting layer heavy.
- Keep the written-out neighboring-note decoration inside the phrase without adding extra notes.
How hard is it
The opening combines rapid thirty-second alternation, several sustained voices and chord elements. Controlling the decoration without disturbing the held texture supports an upper-intermediate estimate.
About this piece
- Licence
- cc-zero
- Source
- musescore.com
More by Johann Sebastian Bach
- Prelude in C major, BWV 846Level 4, estimatedOpen to everyone
- Two-Part Invention No. 1 in C major, BWV 772Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
- Italian Concerto in F major, BWV 971: III. PrestoLevel 9, estimatedWith Maestro
