Bach’s Grand Studies for the Organ - Novello’s Edition for Keyboard

Published in London by Coventry and Hollier in 1836 as “John Sebastian Bach’s Grand Studies for the Organ”, this collection of organ works by Bach was the first major publication of Bach’s organ works in England. What is unique about this edition is the recommended way to perform these works - on piano by one or two performers and with a double bass or cello playing the pedal part. The pedal part was edited by Domenico Dragonetti with his own editorial ideas and modified to fit the range of his three double bass with a low G string.

Dragonetti’s Edition of the Pedal Part for Double Bass or Violoncello

This is the accompanying copy of the pedal part made by Dragonetti. It was written on two staves, so that either a cello or a double bass could play the pedal part. Dragonetti did not edit the cello part from Bach’s original scores, but the bass part has been modified so that the lowest note goes to G.

Paul Nemeth’s Modern Edition of the Pedal Part for Double Bass

Since most double bassists now have access all the way down to C, it’s possible to reimagine this edition on modern instruments that are capable of the full range of the organ’s pedal pipes.

Paul Nemeth’s Northwestern DMA Thesis - The Early Publication History of Domenico Dragonetti, 2019

In my thesis, I discuss the history of this edition in detail along with the other editions that Dragonetti made for publication during his lifetime.