This website is incredibly resourceful, and one can especially check the 1722 original of the well tempered clavier book 1. Is book 2 any easier, or should i just keep working on what i have. Jeno jando has recorded an enormous swath of the classical piano repertoire for the budget label naxos. Book 1 contains the more popular preludes and fugues. The well tempered clavier, book one, prelude and fugue no. The first instance to look at, which is also the most authoritative one, is to study the composers original manuscripts. Download a free and public domain recording and musical score. In bachs time clavier was a generic name indicating a variety of keyboard instruments, most typically a harpsichord or clavichord but not excluding an organ either the modern german spelling for the collection is. Bachswelltempered clavieror the 48 preludes and fugues stands at the core of baroque keyboard music and has been a model and inspiration for performers and composers ever since it was written. In thomas manns novel lotte in weimar an old goethe muses on the achievements of his youth and of his maturity the former the work of genius, the latter the work of greatness. Sep 07, 2017 the two volumes of bachs the welltempered clavier together represent a wealth of musical invention, ingenuity and delight. The wtc was written for the harpsichord, but is now mostly performed on its successor, the piano. Jandos recordings of bachs well tempered clavier rank among his very bestbrilliant, sensitive, giving all the inner voices of the music full play.
This is a useful reprint of the original 1924 associated board edition. The well tempered clavier consists in its entirety of two books, each of 24 preludes and fugues, in which there is one for each major and minor key. Books i and ii, complete dover music for piano bach. The welltempered clavier is a collection of two books of keyboard music. See all 8 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Which book of bachs well tempered clavier is easier. The two volumes of bachs the welltempered clavier together represent a wealth of musical invention, ingenuity and delight. Johann sebastian bach was a noted german composer, keyboardist, and violinist.
From all the works written in the baroque era, no other work has been so well cherished, frequently performed and thoroughly studied than this work of bachs. A proper analysis of js bachs welltempered clavier is therefore simply a must for anybody who takes playing the 48 seriously. Bachs welltempered clavier is now available on cd, and for download. The welltempered clavier has long been considered the old testament of the keyboard literature with beethovens piano sonatas as the new testament. Jones, richard, jones, richard, bach, johann sebastian.
As a young pianist, andras schiff earned wide esteem for his 1980s recordings of the major keyboard works of j. Bachswell tempered clavier or the 48 preludes and fugues stands at the core of baroque keyboard music and has been a model and inspiration for performers and composers ever since it was written. For most arrangements, see the separate pages for the individual preludes and fugues. The welltempered clavier, book 2 johann sebastian bach. The welltempered clavier, bwv 846893, is a collection of two sets of preludes and fugues in all 24 major and minor keys, composed for solo keyboard by johann sebastian bach. The welltempered clavier, or preludes and fugues through all tones and semitones, relating to the major third, that is, ut re mi, as well as those related to the minor third, that is, re mi fa.
Each book contains 24 relatively free, improvisatory preludes, each of which precedes a fugue. All pepper locations are currently closed to the public. Chromatic fantasia and fugue in d minor, bwv 903 by johann sebastian bach performer. The welltempered clavier recorded in 1983, kenneth gilberts welltempered clavier proudly stands the test of time as a reference harpsichord version. It can be edifying to study the prelude and fugue in a key in book i and the prelude and fugue in the same key in book ii. Bach loved numbers, symbolism, and symmetry, so this is very likely his way of showing that he intended to write 24 fugues altogether. It was the ultimate workbook, open to constant change and refining by bach himself. Like thinkgreenlovepiano already said, i think all of them are very enjoyable to listen to, but some suggestions for the first book. Although the welltempered clavier was the first collection of fully worked keyboard pieces in all 24 keys, similar ideas had occurred earlier. In jill crosslands own words, no other music is so perfect an integration of emotional. If youre a devotee of a particular pianist in this repertoiregould, schiff, richter, kempff, etc. It explores the intricacies of each of the 12 major and 12 minor keys and constitutes the largestscale and mostinfluential undertaking for solo keyboard of the baroque era.
The well tempered clavier, book ii 1740 complete recording by breemer, c. Welltempered clavier book i bwv 846869 discography part 8. Well tempered clavier flashcards and study sets quizlet. Composed about 20 years apart, the two sets of 24 preludes and fugues that constitute the two books of johann sebastian bachs welltempered clavier didnt start off as one huge collection of 48 works in fact, the set of 24 preludes and fugues composed in 1742 were not issued as a sequel to the original wtc of 1722. Bach loved numbers, symbolism, and symmetry, so this is very likely his way of showing that. Aug 14, 2010 they both run about the same difficulty. Bach composed a paired prelude and fugue in each of the 24 keys to demonstrate the viability of the new equal. Preludes and fugues the welltempered clavier, by j. S welltempered clavier the, book 1 jando by johann sebastian bach. Many performers touch the first aspect only briefly and focus on the flow of the music, to be able to express the inner beauty of the work. Such thoughts perhaps passed through bachs mind too when surveying his own keyboard output, and the profound differences in sensibility that distinguish the second volume of the. Andras schiff plays book two of the welltempered clavier at the music center at strathmore on oct. Book 1 was written in 1722 towards the end of bachs period as capellmeister at cothen and book 2 appeared some twenty two years later in 1744.
Here are some of my observations regarding the 48 preludes and fugues found in book i and book ii of johann sebastian bachs the welltempered clavier, in no particular order. Certain online resources for the distribution of lossless music, such as are not mentioned hereabouts, may be relevant in this context. Download bach well tempered clavier public domain sheet music from the. It is also possible, given the date, that bach presented the book as a showpiece.
Bach, andras schiff the welltempered clavier, book 2. This invaluable guide to the 96 pieces explains bachs various purposes in compiling the music, describes the rich traditions on which he drew, and provides commentaries for each. The well tempered clavier, book 1 bwv 846869 the well tempered clavier 1 is a collection of educational pieces with exceptionally high artistic contents. Complete score of the welltempered clavier, book 1, by johann sebastian bach open welltempered clavier project. This new recording, and score, were made possible by kimiko ishizaka, musescore, and over 900 fans who supported the project. Note that every pepper location is abiding by all federal, state, and local regulations regarding covid19, as well as cdc guidelines.
One can learn the entirety of both welltempered clavier books in a year, i would estimate, but it would take a lifetime to master. Jandos recordings of bachs welltempered clavier rank among his very bestbrilliant, sensitive, giving all the inner voices of the music full play. Poloarts china cl4b86080 whether this last is a legit licensed issue, or a pirate, i have no idea. Free sheet music for the complete 48 preludes and fugues of the well tempered clavier by j. Bach preludes and fugues 112 well tempered clavier, book 2. The well tempered clavier book 2 prelude e fugue in a, bwv 888.
The welltempered clavier, bwv 846893, collection of 48 preludes and fugues by johann sebastian bach, published in two books 1722 and 1742. Amazons choice for bach well tempered clavier book 1 and 2. This is especially true for the longer pieces, only few can really understand those in detail merely based on musical instinct and talent i, for instance, cant. Bach gave the present title to the work, which was composed for the use and practice of musical youth eager to learn and for the amusement of those already skilled in this study. The welltempered clavier, book ii 1740 complete recording by breemer, c. Johann sebastian bach the welltempered clavier, part i. For book 2, to view originals is a more complex exercise, given the lack of the one authoritative original from js bachs hand and the fragmentation of historical copies see the work of yo tomita for more info on this. Well tempered clavier book 1 a computer mediated decomposition by damian catera. Analysis js bachs music combines two elements, namely a high degree of formalism and complexity with utmost beauty. Unless youre angela hewitt or glenn gould i would recommend mastering only a select few preludes and fugues rather than being okay. Such thoughts perhaps passed through bachs mind too when surveying his own keyboard output, and the profound differences in.
I own book 1, and was considering buying book 2 because some of the pieces were too dificult. Eminent bachspecialist sir andras schiff here performs book i. Order from your preferred classical music cd store arkivmusic. It is generally far more difficult than book 1 however, with greater technical and structural difficulty for the performer. His works such as the brandenburg concertos are known for their technical depth and artistic beauty.
These preludefugue pairs cycle through all 24 possible major and minor tona. The well tempered clavier, or preludes and fugues through all tones and semitones, relating to the major third, that is, ut re mi, as well as those related to the minor third, that is, re mi fa. The open welltempered clavier an essential musical masterpiece, full of joy, pain, and passion, j. Book ii of her recording of bachs welltempered clavier was made between 1951 and 1954 at her home in lakeville. What is the significance of the welltempered clavier. It explores the intricacies of each of the 12 major and 12 minor keys and constitutes the largestscale and mostinfluential undertaking for. Welltempered clavier book i bwv 846869 discography. Glenn gould 1932 1982 bach the welltempered clavier. Well tempered clavier book 2 by johann sebastian bach. This invaluable guide to the 96 pieces explains bachs various purposes in compiling the music, describes the rich traditions on. The two sets of 24 preludes and fugues book 1 dating from 1722 and book 2 from 1742 had pedagogical objectives. Bach preludes and fugues 24 well tempered clavier, book 1. Which book of bachs well tempered clavier is easier overall. Welltempered clavier, book 2, bwv 870893 by johann sebastian bach performer.
If you are a beginner or an advanced player, the question which score to use is always an important topic. Bach, andras schiff the welltempered clavier, book 2 music. Shop and buy well tempered clavier book 2 sheet music. Completed by 1742, book 2 was intended as a complement to book 1, not as a replacement. Andras schiff and the bach project the washington post. Talking about the welltempered clavier, a very good source to get to the original scores is the website of the state library berlin together with bacharchiv leipzig. His recordings are never less than respectable, and often a good deal more than that. The welltemperedclavier, book ii wtc 2 french title. Id buy book 2, learn these, and then go back to book 1.