J.S. Bach Inventions & Sinfonias

by Pete Levin

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	1.	Bach Inventions #1-15, 2-voice 35:17	info	buy track
	2.	Bach Inventions #16-30, 3-voice 36:23	info	buy track

about

Johann Sebastian Bach composed the 30 “Inventions” for his students. 15 called “Inventions” use only 2 voices, and 15 “Sinfonias” use only 3 voices. Aesthetic content aside, Bach compositions are masterful studies in counterpoint. His skill at developing a melody is legendary, and is still a model for all composers. His ability to create intricate musical textures using minimal notes was phenomenal. Incredible that these 30 amazing pieces were basically exercises to learn to play the piano!
The Inventions are all fairly short. Pianists and musicologists will spot that in these recordings the pieces are longer than expected. Appreciating the thematic development of each piece, I wanted to lengthen them – get some more Bach. To that end I used Recapitulation, a simple technique used extensively in the Classical and Baroque eras - basically, go back to the beginning and play it again. When doing that, I didn’t add any new material, only making changes in the orchestration.
The electronic orchestrations are all done with one analog/digital synthesizer, Moog Music’s flagship Model “One” – no samples used. Recording in mulit-track format let me create compound textures and mimic a larger musical group. All notes are Bach’s, but the electronic orchestration often doubles the original notes with different sounds to create a musical ensemble. With the expanded sonic palette, its hard to believe that you’re still only hearing two or three contrapuntal melodies together – but there’s nothing added. The man could write a pretty good tune!
This project is dedicated to Boston University Professor Emeritus Dr. Hugo Norden (1910-1986). Doctor Norden was renowned for his studies and analysis of J.S. Bach, especially Bach’s use of counterpoint. He started my life-long love of Bach. He also introduced me to Bach’s hobby, numerology, which is infused in much of his work. But that’s another story …
The album photo: J.B. hanging out in my Woodstock studio. He checked out the Moog "One" (he's holding the user manual) and graciously posed for a selfie. Then we drove over to Keegan Ales for a couple of beers.
(In my dreams!)
Pete Levin - Woodstock, NY June 1, 2023

credits

released June 1, 2023

The 30 pieces are performed exclusively on a Moog “One” Polyphonic Synthesizer, currently Moog Music’s flagship instrument. The multitrack recordings were performed and recorded by Pete Levin at his studio outside of Woodstock, New York.

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Pete Levin Woodstock, New York

In a diverse 50-year music career Pete Levin has performed and recorded with 100s of Jazz and Pop artists including Paul Simon, Annie Lennox, David Sanborn, Lenny White, Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius and John Scofield, receiving critical accolades for his work during a 15 year association with Gil Evans. Pete has been a 1st call sideman in NYC's jazz, pop, and electronic music scene ... more

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