Performance Record of J.S. Bach – Invention No. 5 in E-Flat Major, BWV 776

This performance of Invention No. 5 in E-flat Major (BWV 776) by 9-year-old Reiji highlights his musical interpretation that embraces the piece's colorful modulations and overtone-aligned leaps. Recorded in July 2025, the performance is part of a broader project to document and analyze all of Bach’s Inventions.

Reiji's Observations

• Unlike melancholic major-key pieces like Chopin's “Tristesse,” this piece maintains a consistent brightness throughout. Despite some minor passages, it retains a light, major-key character, almost “pop-like.”
• The frequent modulations create a colorful and ever-changing atmosphere, making it enjoyable to explore various expressions.
• Measures 12–14 (Cm → G → Cm → Fm → Fm6 → Fm6 → Ddim♯7 → G7 → A♭) stood out. The Ddim♯7 → G7 → A♭ progression was especially striking, and I used sustained tones in the left hand to highlight the harmonic shift.
• The piece includes wide leaps (up to 12ths), many of which align with the overtone or undertone series. For example, in measure 16, the leaps from F matched undertones such as B♭, D♭, G, and E♭ with cent deviations noted for each.
• Such overtone-based resonance unified the sound but made balance difficult, so I paid close attention to phrase cadences and section contrasts.
• Overall, it was a lively and joyful piece that naturally encouraged expressive performance.

* These are personal reflections by the performer.