Tutor: BRENDAN ODONNELL

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Concerto in C BWV 595 – Bach arr. Van Goethem

S: CH, JC

A: YC, JM

T: DG, WJ

B: BO, CS

Fuga in C BWV 545 – Bach arr. Van Goethem

S: YC, CS

A: CH, DG

T: JM, BO

B: JC, WJ

The challenge of playing Bach is always to find the shape and beauty in what can seem like a barrage of notes. While you won’t hear the harmonies while practicing alone, focus on exploring the shapes of your line to find your own musical meaning. While written in 4/4 time, we should be trying to feel 2 in a bar in the concerto; in the fuga, aim for an expansive sense of 1 in a bar, though you may wish to count “1-and” in each bar until you are confident with the various tied rhythms.

The Planets’ Feet – Lance Eccles

D: BO, JM

Tr: WJ, CS

T1: JC

T2: CH

B: DG, YC

The movements of this comical suite need to feel overdone and cliché: in “The Boots of Mars” we should hear the stomping of soldiers’ boots, the drums of war, and some delightfully over-the-top oompah rhythms; in “Mercury’s Joggers” we a jogging along to a light, quick jig – please don’t hold the dotted crotchets through! And in “Venus’ Silk Stockings” we are acting more as a romantic string quartet than recorders, complete with rising and falling “pizzicato” (read: short but gentle) quavers. I think this one will be a lot of fun!