After a long time of not tackling J.S. Bach, I remembered what my piano teacher used to suggest to me; she believed, and I still believe today, that Bruno Mugellini is the best editor regarding the fingering of Bach's works. For the "Well-Tempered Clavier," I have a Breitkopf edition edited specifically by Mugellini, which I have compared with other editions by other editors and which I find, as far as I know, unsurpassed. I would like to discuss this topic or see if anyone can suggest editions of Bach's works where the fingering is well-curated.
As a harpsichordist, I can tell you that fingerings for Bach must necessarily be adapted to the hand and, in my case, also to the instrument... there is never an absolute fingering... much less in counterpoint and even less on the harpsichord; on the piano, there are some conveniences and some exceptions to the more "classical" fingerings.
Keep in mind that I have Mugellini, Bärenreiter, and other editions... but in the end, I still have to provide the fingering myself.
I agree with Frank, although after all when studying we need an initial guide and Mugellini can provide it almost completely. However, the fingerings will always need to be adapted and revised according to the various needs of the performer.
YES, sure, everyone adapts the fingering according to their own hand and their own habits. I didn't want to cite Mugellini as "the" absolute best fingering for Bach, but only as a very important point of reference. Does anyone else have other good editors (for fingering) to suggest for J.S. Bach?
The best edition for fingering? The one that doesn't include it at all!!
aahhh what a breath of fresh air.. what freedom... finally the hand can find "its own"
without interference, without misleading suggestions...
then the text, being so clear, gains in readability; the lines of the musical discourse are better perceived..
Among the worst editions for fingering (and not just in Bach) I find the Henle editions (but what hands do those editors have?? ?) it's a pity because for other aspects
