Bach’s 15 two-part Inventions and the 15 three-part Sinfonias played an important role in Bach's teaching. These pieces, although today mainly associated with basic keyboard training, are not at all easy and in fact are sophisticated, small-scale masterpieces. They were not composed simply to provide technical training in keyboard playing but, perhaps more important, to teach keyboard players how to compose.
In 1720 Bach's oldest son Wilhelm Friedemann (1710-84) was already of an age appropriate for introducing him into the family trade of musician. So Bach started for him a music notebook: a Clavierbüchlein which included these Inventions and Sinfonias.
In learning and playing these works, Bach affirmed, a diligent student would be taught ‘a clear manner for playing not only in two voices but also in three obbligato parts and, furthermore, not only how to invent good musical ideas [inventiones] but also how to develop these well. And above all, how to achieve a cantabile manner of playing, and additionally to obtain a strong foretaste of Composition.’
On this recording the Inventionen 7 Sinfonias are played on the organ, a perfect copy built by Flentrop of the Müller organ (1753) at the English Reformed Church, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, the specifications of which are included in the booklet.
Jangoo Chapkhana is an organist and harpsichordist of international standing, as well as an orchestral conductor. His career highlights include organ recitals in Westminster Abbey (London), St Mary The Virgin (New York City) and two recitals in Washington National Cathedral (USA). He previously recorded successfully for Brilliant Classics works by William Byrd.
