When I first learned Bach there was no kidding around. A theme was fixed in the brain, repeated as is; if articulated, then without variation.
There was that one pesky articulation in the F-minor Two-Part Invention, written two different ways (horror!) in Bach's own hand. The universe collapsed.
Now we learn that the guiding principle of the day was variation, not repetition. With each seeming repetition the performer was invited to find a new way to put life into the motif. This is so appealing primarily because it is so amusing to hear a single idea morph into the potential many ideas.
What will it take to realize that children respond to this idea, that it does not need to be reserved for PhDs in performance practice.
