Discovering Bach’s Secret Tempo Code
ABOUT: “Discovering Bach’s Secret Tempo Code” is an ongoing free e-book which is periodically expanded, updated, and revised, representing a total of over 30 years’ reflection and research. I first discovered what I referred to as Bach’s “secret system of tempo” in 1992 as a graduate student in piano and musicology at the University of Kansas. The project was well underway from 1992-2002, which was put on hiatus in 2002 for the next 20 years. In 2022, I resumed working on the project aiming to make it into a book. However, instead of constantly struggling to get a “final product” to “cast into stone” for this highly technical project (i.e., a traditional print book), I thought it would be easier and more practical to simply present this book-in-progress as a blog on this website. I call this a “Book-in-a-Blog”! This way, I may add and edit content periodically as time permits for your reading pleasure. Please enjoy this free Book-in-a-Blog!
Harpsichord Concertos (BWV 1052-1064
Bach’s concertos for harpsichord display accurate duration ratios, showing Bach’s skill for organization.