Bach's Unaccompanied Instrumental Music

Lead Research Organisation: Royal Northern College of Music
Department Name: Research Office

Abstract

J.S.Bach's unaccompanied sonatas and Partitas for Violin, the Cello suites, the works for Lute, and the Flute Suite are the foundations repertory of their respective instruments, yet there is very little literature for students that comes to grips with crucial issues of style and composition type which are vital for performers to understand. My aim has been to produce a book that addresses this need. My main finding is that pieces with dance titles are not in reality dance movements, but generally have some dance characteristics applied to a none dance structure. This is a new approach that opens up a fresh field of analytical interpretation, and will also be vital interpretative key for performers. This project will result in a book, two conference papers, and two articles.

Publications

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David Ledbetter (2007) A Question of Genre: J. S. Bach and the mixed style

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Ledbetter D (2015) Kammermusik mit Violine ed. by Peter Wollny in Notes

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Ledbetter, D. J. 'New light on Bach's composing intentions in the "Works for Lute"'

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Ledbetter, D. J. (2009) Unaccompanied Bach: Performing the Solo Works

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Ledbetter, D. J. (2011) 'Improvisation, da capos and palindromes in BWV 997 and 998'

 
Description The book is stocked and recommended by most university music departments and conservatoires. It is referred to extensively in recent Bach studies (Bach-Handbuch, Laaber-Verlag; RDP Jones, The Creative Development of Johann Sebastian Bach, 2 vols, Oxford University Press, among others). It is the basis of an online masterclass series for cellists by the Korean cellist Sung-Won Song.
First Year Of Impact 2009
Sector Education,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Other
Impact Types Cultural