What does BWV mean?
Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis
BWV stands for Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis, or Bach Works Catalog. Wolfgang Schmieder assigned numbers to J.S. Bach’s compositions in 1950 for the cataloge Thematisch-systematisches Verzeichnis der musikalischen Werke von Johann Sebastian Bach (Thematic-systematic catalog of musical works of Johann Sebastian Bach).
How is the BWV organized?
Within each section of the Anhang the works are sorted by genre, following the same sequence of genres as the main catalogue. Schmieder published the BWV’s second edition in 1990, with some modifications regarding authenticity discriminations, and more works added to the main catalogue and the Anhang.
What is a 3 part invention?
In music, an invention is a short composition (usually for a keyboard instrument) in two-part counterpoint. (Compositions in the same style as an invention but using three-part counterpoint are known as sinfonias. Some modern publishers call them “three-part inventions” to avoid confusion with symphonies.)
What are BWV numbers?
A “BWV number” is a number that uniquely identifies one of Bach’s compositions. These numbers originate with the Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (Bach Works Catalogue) compiled by Wolfgang Schmieder in 1950. An up-to-date list of BWV numbers can be found on Wikipedia’s ➟ List of compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach.
What does anh mean in music?
Anhang
| Anh. | abbreviation of Anhang (German: appendix – of a book, etc., English abbreviation is app.) |
|---|---|
| Anhemitonic scale | or tonal scale, one without intervals of a semitone. In Western music, the four pentatonic scales are anhemitonic, as is the whole tone scale |
| anhemitonisch | (German) anhemitonic |
| anher | (German) here |
What is a 2 part invention?
In a two-part invention, the first voice plays the main theme while the other accompanies in free counterpoint. The voices then switch, with the second voice playing the main theme and the first providing counterpoint. Inventions can also have countersubjects that accompany the main subject of the piece.
When was the Well-Tempered Clavier first performed?
The Well-Tempered Clavier, BWV 846–893, German Das wohltemperierte Klavier, byname the Forty-eight, collection of 48 preludes and fugues by Johann Sebastian Bach, published in two books (1722 and 1742).
Why are the Goldberg Variations important?
Long regarded as the most serious and ambitious work for keyboard, the Goldberg Variations display J S Bach’s exceptional knowledge of the many different styles of music of his day, and his own exquisite performing techniques.