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Elena Kats-Chernin is an Australian pianist and composer. Her work Re-inventions (2004) is based on six of Johann Sebastian Bach's 15 Inventions. Scores for Re-inventions can be purchased here from the Australian Music Centre.
Bach's Invention No. 13 in A Minor
Bach's Invention No. 13 in A Minor
Bach's Inventions and Sinfonias, BWV 772–801 is a collection of thirty pieces written for keyboard instruments. These pieces were composed between 1720 and 1723. An invention is a contrapuntal composition with two parts, usually written as a keyboard exercise (rather than as a piece to be performed). A sinfonia is a contrapuntal composition with three-parts.
Each of Bach's 15 Inventions are in different keys (No. 1 is in C major, No. 2 in C minor, No. 3 in D major, and so on). Some keys are skipped (e.g. there is no Db major or C# minor invention). Invention No. 13 is in the key of A minor.
Watch the two videos. The harpsichord in the second video is tuned slightly lower than modern 440Hz tuning. This more accurately resembles the tuning (and tone colour) of keyboard instruments in Bach's lifetime.
Questions
Questions
What is the texture of this piece?
Name the compositional device used in bars 14-17. Where else is this device used?
Scores for Re-inventions are available for purchase here
Kats-Chernin's Re-invention No. 3
Kats-Chernin's Re-invention No. 3
The idea for Re-inventions emerged during a brainstorming session between Kats-Chernin and recorder player Genevieve Lacey. Lacey played a melody reminiscent of one of Bach's Inventions and Kats-Chernin had the idea to restructure and re-orchestrate several of them.
Re-invention No. 3 is based on Bach's Invention No. 13, which was Kats-Chernin's favourite during her childhood. Kats-Chernin said of the work, "Violas and Cellos have a repetitive pattern that provides the base for the main material to be built on. It is the machine-like energy of the invention that interested me."
Activity
Activity
Listen to Bach's Invention No. 13 in A Minor, following the score.
Analyse the first three bars. Using coloured highlighters, mark and label the different motifs in this section. Describe the contour of each motif.
Listen to Kats-Chernin's Re-invention No. 3, following the score.
In the first four bars, identify any motifs from Bach's Invention. Identify how the motifs have been transformed. Describe the role of the accompanying instruments.
Each student is assigned a rehearsal marking in Re-invention No. 3 (A, B, etc.). Students must:
Identify the instrument with the main melody.
Identify which motifs are being used and how they have been transformed.
Describe the role of the accompanying instruments.
Based on this analysis, write an essay paragraph in response to the following question: "How have composers demonstrated thematic transformation in their works? Refer to TWO works studied in the Mandatory Topic: Music of the last 25 years (Australian focus)."
Essay quote
Essay quote
This quote shows:
The first melodic motif in the descant recorder part. This is an adaptation of the first motif in Bach's Invention No. 13. You may wish to write out Bar 1 of Bach's Invention to show this.
A chromatically descending line in the viola part, creating dissonance.
A pedal point in the cello which firmly establishes the tonic of the piece (A) and contrasts the chromaticism in the viola part.
Aural questions
Aural questions
How has Kats-Chernin achieved a sense of unity in this excerpt? (Bars 1-52)
How has the composer created contrast in texture? (Bars 81-103)
How has the composer developed the arpeggiated motif? (Bars 81-103)
Describe the relationship between the Descant Recorder and Violin I parts.
Kats-Chernin's Re-invention No. 1
Kats-Chernin's Re-invention No. 1
Kats-Chernin's Re-invention No. 1 is based on Bach's Invention No. 8 in F major.
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