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Baroque · allemande

Allemande, Partita No. 3, BWV 827

Johann Sebastian Bach · Level 8, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

A partita preserved in the Bach family music book. Allemande, Partita No. 3, BWV 827 is an allemande by Johann Sebastian Bach from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 8, an estimate.

On this page
  • allemande
  • Baroque
  • gentle

Also known as Allemande: Partita No. 3 in A minor, BWV 827; J.S. Bach Partita No. 3 2. Allemande.

History

Allemande, Partita No. 3 in A minor, BWV 827 is part of Bach's A-minor third keyboard Partita. The work appears in Anna Magdalena Bach's second notebook, begun in 1725, before its later publication as the third partita. A family music book and a printed edition preserve different stages in a work's life. The notebook year is evidence of that early setting, not proof that every movement was composed in 1725.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. A pickup joins layered running figures

    The pickup starts a layered opening. Hear the separate moving lines rather than one uniform stream.

  2. The upper contour moves higher

    The higher continuation gathers toward the first repeat. Follow its register growth within the phrase.

  3. A second pickup changes the continuation

    The second pickup begins transformed pitch groups and registers. Compare its shape with the first entry.

  4. Related closing figures finish the second half

    The final gestures relate to earlier running material. Hear them gather into the closing repeat.

How to practise it

Keep the decorated line distinct from the held inner voices.

  1. Practise the pickup-to-descent connection before extending the upper line.
  2. Practise one held inner voice against the lower motion, then add layers gradually.
  3. Connect the examined phrase at a comfortable tempo while keeping its stated layers and releases distinct.

How hard is it

Level 8, estimated

The opening mixes ornamental thirty-second figures, tied inner voices and an active bass. Maintaining several independently sustained layers through decoration is a substantial observed demand.

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 decorated line distinct from the held inner voices.

Practise it in PlayPiano