Some question about Bach

[jcop]

Hi Everybody,

On my cd I have a piece that is called toccata & fugue composed by Bach, now yesterday I was at our Library and was looking for the complete work and found another piece named exactly the same but sounded complete different. Is this possible and how can I search for the corresponding work, if it's part of a complete composition at all?

thanks and regards,
Johan

 

[Robert Newman]

Hi there Jcop,

Here is a very useful site where you can examine a list of the complete known works of J.S. Bach. Known as 'Dave's J.S. Bach Works Catalog'. It's wonderful to look at this and is packed with information.

1. http://www.jsbach.net/catalog/index.html

And here is a discussion about cataloguing every work.

2. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb6657/is_/ai_n28646590

There are at least 7 toccatas for solo keyboard by Bach and many more for organ.

Best wishes

RN

 

[jcop]

Thanks another one to add to my favorites.
regards,
Johan

 

[Contratrombone64]

There should be a unique catalogue number, called a BWV number ...

 

[kierantk]

The pieces you are probably looking for are the Toccata and Fugues in D Minor - BWV 538 and BWV 565

The famous one is the 565, with the dramatic opening, whilst the 538 begins with a contrapuntal toccata

 

[jcop]

Hi,

Can you please explain "contrapuntal" my English isn't that bad but I cannot seems to find a good explanation for this word.
Anyway thanks for the BWV information, I figured out that this is how Bach works are catalogued, but on my cd I can't find the BWV number for this piece.
regards,
Johan

 

[Contratrombone64]

contrapuntal ... two melodies (or more) played at the same time that agree harmonically. It's a close relative of the fugue (which is more structured).

 

[Art Rock]

The pieces you are probably looking for are the Toccata and Fugues in D Minor - BWV 538 and BWV 565

The famous one is the 565, with the dramatic opening, whilst the 538 begins with a contrapuntal toccata

There is also the BWV 540 in F major.

 

[jcop]

Thanks people,

I will surely look out for the different BWV numbers mentioned here and will update you so you'll eventually know which piece i'm searching and referring to.

again thanks I really appreciate the forum here, all down to earth, no nonsense talk and really helpfull for a starter in the classical genre.