Bach 2 Part Invention in D minor

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Bach 2 Part Invention in D minor is a jazz adaptation by Gordon Goodwin of J. S. Bach's 2-part invention in D minor, originally published in Inventions and Sinfonias (BWV 772-801). Goodwin has taken Bach's keyboard invention and adapted it in big band jazz style for his "Big Phat Band". It is recorded on his Swingin' For The Fences album.

As with all 2 Part Inventions, there are two distinct melodies being played simultaneously, and a challenge to the performers is to maintain the clarity of those two main parts for the listener, whilst adding the texture of the big-band sound. The piece is also challenging because of the style, having neither a straight rhythm, nor a swing rhythm. For that reason the piece has been compared to Latin jazz which is similarly neither straight nor swing, although this piece has a smoothness of style, as opposed to the more accented and sharper rhythms of Latin jazz.

On the Swingin' For The Fences album, the soloists are Eddie Daniels on clarinet, Tim Cox on piano, and Bernie Dresel on drums.

In the audio commentary of the album, Goodwin describes the Bach 2 Part Invention in D minor as his favorite and best-composed track.