# Can you identify this short Bach piece, please? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 29, 2012, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-short-bach-piece-please/639179 "2012-10-29T02:07:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-short-bach-piece-please/639179/1 "2012-10-29T02:07:27Z")
[This link](http://www.mathpages.com/home/bach.mid) will take you to a MIDI version of a short (about one minute) work by Bach. Can anyone tell me what it is (so I can then listen to a more traditional version). A partita, perhaps? I should say that it is not beyond the realm of possibility that what we’re hearing at the link is not even Bach! It is possible, although I think unlikely, that the composition is merely an attempt at _sounding_ like Bach (and, if so, whoever wrote it did a remarkable job). Thanks! ETA - Mods, since this has a factual answer, I put it in GQ. However, if you think it’s more appropriate for Cafe Society, please send it there if you’d like. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-short-bach-piece-please/639179/2 "2012-10-29T02:21:59Z")
Bach Invention No. 13. I used to play it on piano, so I recognized it. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-short-bach-piece-please/639179/3 "2012-10-29T02:23:57Z")
Thanks so much! It is beautiful (and, in my naive opinion, epitomizes Bach). ETA: That you can play it, is more than impressive! ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-short-bach-piece-please/639179/4 "2012-10-29T02:27:33Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > Thanks so much! It is beautiful (and, in my naive opinion, epitomizes Bach). > > ETA: That you can play it, is more than impressive! Yes, it was one of my very favorite pieces. I used it as a finger exercise any time I didn’t feel like playing anything else. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-short-bach-piece-please/639179/5 "2012-10-29T04:23:54Z")
It was also famous as the [Commodore 64 theme](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=796KD4SNzwE) back in the 80s. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-short-bach-piece-please/639179/6 "2012-10-29T04:29:41Z")
Index and MIDIs of each [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inventions_and_Sinfonias): Bach titled the collection: “Honest method, by which the amateurs of the keyboard – especially, however, those desirous of learning – are shown a clear way not only (1) to learn to play cleanly in two parts, but also, after further progress, (2) to handle three obligate parts correctly and well; and along with this not only to obtain good inventions (ideas) but to develop the same well; above all, however, to achieve a cantabile style in playing and at the same time acquire a strong foretaste of composition.” Is this you, OP? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2012, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-short-bach-piece-please/639179/7 "2012-10-29T04:45:30Z")
Moved to Cafe Society. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![breezman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@breezman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breezman)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-short-bach-piece-please/639179/8 "2012-10-30T23:15:28Z")
Yes. Two-part invention #13 in Am, BWV 784.