Twenty-one Favorite Pieces: Piano Book

This collection gives pianists direct access to some of Bach's most performed movements without requiring knowledge of the original instrumental contexts. The range of dance forms and styles within a single volume creates natural programming possibilities, and Heinze's editing makes these transcriptions both playable and musically coherent at the intermediate to advanced level.

These pieces embody the elegance and formal discipline of the Baroque dance suite, with Bach's gift for memorable melody balanced against intricate contrapuntal textures. Whether performing a sturdy Bourree or a contemplative Sarabande, the pianist encounters Bach's characteristic blend of mathematical precision and expressive depth.

Intermediate to advanced pianists preparing recital programs, students exploring Baroque keyboard writing, and teachers seeking substantial repertoire that bridges original works and orchestral transcriptions. This book serves pianists who want to deepen their understanding of Bach's structural and harmonic language through performance.

• Attend to voice leading within each hand; Bach's counterpoint demands clarity of line even in transcription, so resist the urge to blur voices together with the pedal.
• Shape each dance movement according to its historical character: Bourrees benefit from precise articulation and forward momentum, while Sarabandes call for a more sustained, measured approach.
• Balance the keyboard textures available to you. Where the original may have separated voices across two hands, the piano allows for richer voicing; use this sparingly to maintain transparency rather than create muddy chords.

Build a themed recital entirely from this collection, grouping pieces by dance type or key area to create coherent concert flow. Alternatively, weave individual movements throughout a mixed program to anchor segments in Baroque style, or use the shorter pieces as encores that showcase Bach's range without demanding extended performance time.

• Baroque counterpoint and voice independence within a single instrument
• Ornamentation and articulation appropriate to dance forms (Bourree, Gavotte, Gigue, Sarabande)
• Harmonic analysis and harmonic rhythm in Baroque voice leading
• Transcription literacy: understanding how original instrumental textures translate to the keyboard
• Formal clarity: shaping distinct sections and maintaining structural coherence across movements