Inexhaustible Eldorado
The concluding third volume of his studies on Bach transcriptions for piano will be followed by a book dedicated to fantasies about Bach and homages.
Various forms of piano arrangement played an important role in the history of Johann Sebastian Bach's reception. Sophisticated concert transcriptions by Liszt, Raff, Saint-Saëns, Stradal, Busoni, Godowsky, Friedman and other virtuosos not only reflected the respective view of Bach, but also influenced modern pianism.
His intensive study of Bach arrangements, based on many years of research all over the world, has inspired the pianist and legal scholar Arthur Schanz to write several well-founded non-fiction books full of cleverly annotated musical examples and helpful indexes. Following the appreciation of all free organ works and chorale arrangements in the volumes Das Schöne klingt and Vom Himmel hoch, the most comprehensive and also most inspiring publication for pianists appeared in 2013: The sound of the piano. The 21-page (!) list of arrangers and composers includes the Swiss musicians Edwin Fischer, Emil Frey, Hans Huber and Joachim Raff among the almost 1000 arrangements of 110 works. An index of the transcribed works by BWV numbers and a list of works by arranger with references form the appendix.
As a supplement, the book with 380 names has now been published In honor of Bachwhich is dedicated to fantasies after Johann Sebastian Bach and homages. Thanks to the work recommendations of the exquisite Bach expert Schanz, it proves to be a further Eldorado for those who want to discover Bach. The following Swiss composers are presented with sheet music examples: Arthur Honegger with Prélude - Arioso - Fughette sur le nom de Bach and Werner Wehrli with a humorous arrangement of the eighth Invention under the title The musical barbarian.
Arthur Schanz, The sound of the piano. Johann Sebastian Bach's chamber music, orchestral works, concertos and cantatas transcribed for piano. 292 p., € 36.00, published by Haag + Herchen, Hanau 2013, ISBN 978-3-89846-698-1
id., In honor of Bach. Fantasies, concert arrangements, studies and homages after J. S. Bach for piano. 182 P., € 29.80, 2014, ISBN 978-3-89846-719-3
