HELEN 5/10: I wrote this on May 9, Mother’s Day, yesterday, but didn’t get it posted until May 10.
Yesterday’s fugue, no. 8, was a doozy — five pages of not nearly enough hands, and very hard to count. At least I’ve listened to the piece a lot, and had recognition to fall back on. I thought several times, “what if I were sight-playing this without having heard it first?” Some of you will have to offer your opinion of the experience of reading no. 8.
At least today’s fugue (no. 9) was a relatively short four pages, and only two voices.
Again, I’m taken with how he brings us back to the tonic after such wild wanderings, it’s always so artful and restful after the drama of crazy chromaticism.
STEVEN 5/10: I had much the same reaction. Does Shostakovich know how big hands are? I’ve gotten to the point where I usually don’t bother holding the long notes because I assume that hand will be needed elsewhere. While #9 was a nice break, today’s was back to being pretty tough. I find I’m enjoying the preludes more, just because I can play them well enough to hear the melody. I guess that means I’ll need to go back through the fugues again when my sight-reading is better. 🙂
GRACE 5/10: These last two pieces have been mind-blowing. When I see how long the fugues are I just have to submit to the process and read one measure at a time. I’m enjoying the fugues more than I thought I would. The way today’s ends is haunting. I listened to Ashkenazy play it after I played it and wow! Goosebumps.
HELEN 5/10: Yes both comments regarding No. 10. Difficult, long, and utterly gorgeous. Yup, Steven, ties are hard in Bach, usually impossible (without my clear study of each piece) here. And Grace, thanks to you I listened to the fugue after playing it today. A journey, like driving to a cemetery, with stunning resolution.