Bach’s Prelude in D minor, BWV 999
Welcome to our very first Study Group — a collaborative, peer-led dive into a beautiful piece of music over the course of two weeks.
We’re kicking things off with Bach’s Prelude in D minor, BWV 999!
This is not a course or a class — it’s a space for mutual exploration, discussion, and shared progress. I’ll be learning the piece alongside you (again — it’s been a while!), and I’m excited to discover new things together.
What to expect:
Between June 9th-20th, we’ll focus on:
Fingerings and technique
Harmonic structure and phrasing
Interpretation and expressive choices
Your own questions and perspectives!
We’ll also meet for two live Zoom sessions to share progress, chat about challenges, and nerd out over all things Bach.
How to participate:
- Sign-Up here!
- Grab your score of BWV 999
- Introduce yourself below!
- Join the prompts and discussion!
- Share your thoughts, ideas, or a clip of your playing!
Zoom Call #1 – June 13th, 9am PST
Zoom Call #2 – June 20th, 9am PST
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Hello from the Netherlands! I played this half a century ago. Nice to revisit it. Although I can’t attend the Zoom calls (I have rehearsals with my ensemble 9on that time) I will follow the discussion.
my scores for this piece are from the seventies. A German edition (Schott) and a Japanese one. -
Hello, i am Juan from Madrid....this IS a great iniciative, Martín. As i have some spare time on comming weeks i Will participate....Is an oficial score available to follow or shall we pick one from the web?? Greetings
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Hi from the English Lake District. I also tried to play this piece a long time ago and like Ron I have a Hofmeister edition ( complete Bach Lute Music) which I believe was published in what was then East Germany. Looking forward to working on this and to the Zoom sessions!
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So, already some controversy!!! For the 'A' which occurs on the 3rd beat of the first measure, the Apke transcription says to use the '4' finger in the LH, but the Bustos video uses the '2' finger. I also see that Stephanie Jones uses the '2' finger.
Also in the 3rd measure ... '3' or '4' on that Bb?-
Marc Adler Hi Marc, I would personally start up by getting rid of any fingerings, or even better find a fingering-less version, and then build fingerings based on musical ideas, textures or patterns to ensure a more cohesive and coherent «end result», and also ensure a fluid playing based on your own qualities. That for sure will be an interesting experience!
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Marc Adler In the past I have used 2 on the A (1st measure) and 3 on the Bb in the 3rd, but I'm open to alternatives if it helps the musicality and flow!
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Great initiative! I am very excited to take part on this study group. I first learned this piece 3 years ago and there are always points for improvement. Can't wait to hear insights from everyone
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I thought that this might be of interest to some folks. Douglas Niedt goes over different fingerings for the Prelude.
https://douglasniedt.com/fabulouspreludeindminor.html -
Among the instruments I play (I should really say 'try to play' because my left hand no longer functions properly) is the baroque lute, for which this prelude may (or may not!) have been intended. Since I have never played any of Bach's music on the lute (almost all of it is exceedingly difficult!) this challenge presents an opportunity for me to at least try to learn one of his works. I intend to use an edition prepared by the Canadian lutenist Clive Titmuss. While the piece is no easier on the lute than it is on the guitar, the lute does offer several advantages: first, the original key of C minor is preserved, and second, the basic arpeggio pattern (involving one note per string) can be maintained throughout. A possible disadvantage is that many of the left hand chord patterns are quite demanding, at least from a lutenist's perspective. (In general, the chord voicings encountered in the baroque lute repertoire are quite easy for the left hand.) I don't know if I'll manage to get this prelude under my fingers by the end of the challenge, but I'll at least get an understanding of its particular difficulties. Hopefully, something of what I learn will be of interest to guitarists!
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Also be aware that most guitar versions have an E as a bass note on mesure 23 when, according to the original score, it should be an F. The Apke's version is right here but for whatever reason he's using an Eb instead of a D# for the following note of the chord!
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Blaise Laflamme I'm using the Hofmeister 'Lautenmusik' version (I have other editions which I need to dig out). Spookily bar 23 is one of only 3 bars with numbers on which made it easier to find. This version has the low E on the 6th string within brackets and an F (4th string 3rd fret - although in this case 5th string 8th fret). It also has an E flat which (according to my reasoning) would make the chord an F minor seventh (or is it a D minor 9th without the root?). The low E seems to be a pedal note as in my edition it is on the first beat of each bar from 17 to 32.
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Hi, it's a great idea to share insights into this piece. Have mostly memorised but would be good to refine it and hear thoughts on dynamics and particularly the tricky bars 31-34!!
End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
