An arrangement from PlentyMusic of J.S Bach’s Sinfonia 5 (BWV 791) for flute and piano. The movement should not be played too quickly. The music editor’s advice is that all playing need to have the clearest of intentions with regard to the articulation of the lines and the range of dynamics. Whilst movements need to be played with control there also needs to be a lightness in the playing approach. Ornaments have not been marked in the score but they can be added by players who are familiar with the performance practice of the time. Piano accompaniments are available playing at 56, 60, 64 and 68 quarter note or crotchet beats to the minute. The recording quality is 256kbps and a two bar woodblock introduction gives a quarter note or crotchet beat pulse Players need to understand that the rhythmic shapes in the melody have a strong repetitive element which is familiar characteristic of music from this era. The tempo of the realisation is 60 quarter note or crotchet beats to the minute. The movement needs to be played, with an awareness of a quarter note or crotchet pulse. This transcription keeps to original voicings and key although pitch levels in baroque times were lower than contemporary times. The Sinfonias were originally composed for harpsichord the keyboard instrument of J.S. Bach’s time although they do provide excellent ensemble material for various instrument combinations. The Sinfonias are works conceived for three voices and feature compositional processes very much associated with contrapuntal writing of the baroque era namely: repetition, inversion, imitation, augmentation, diminution. For all musicians it is important to understand these terms in both a playing and listening context. The 3 part Sinfonias and 2 part Inventions are excellent movement for developing listening skills in ensemble playing. Do make use of these and other resources available on the PlentyMusic website.
