July 21, 2025
Performance Record of J.S. Bach – Prelude in F-Sharp Major, BWV 858
A performance record of J.S. Bach’s Prelude in F-Sharp Major (BWV 858), recorded in January 2025 by Reiji at age 8. In this performance, Reiji pays particular attention to overtone resonance, especially in the ranges between the 6th and 7th partials and those around the 10th to 20th, which he found to blend harmoniously. He explores the piece’s unusual harmonic progressions and modulations, aiming to highlight the purity and complexity of its resonance.
Reiji's Observations
- What surprised me first was how the overtones in this piece don't get in each other's way, even though there are a lot of them.
- The major thirds played by the right and left hands sounded so nice together. Even the seconds didn’t clash—they actually created this beautiful shimmer.
- I focused on letting the overtones ring out as much as possible while playing.
- The modulations in this piece are also really unusual. It keeps changing keys and resolving in ways I didn’t expect, so I paid close attention to those moments while performing.
* These are personal reflections by the performer.
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpdPFCBL0Io |
|---|---|
| Reference Sheet Music |
G. Henle Verlag: J.S. BACH The Well-Tempered Clavier Part I IMSLP/Petrucci Music Library, Public Domain |
| Recording date |
January 18, 2025 Performance by an 8-year-old |
AI Assistant’s Notes and Inferences
- This performance reflects Reiji’s growing attention to acoustics and harmonic resonance, particularly in higher partials often overlooked in standard interpretations.
- His sensitivity to how overtones interact—especially between hands and across registers—suggests an intuitive grasp of spectral balance.
- The awareness of unexpected modulations and harmonic flows adds an intellectual layer to his expressive delivery.
- Reiji’s approach blends physical sound exploration with theoretical listening, offering a unique interpretation grounded in overtone-rich clarity.