The well tempered clavier, book 2 24 preludes and fugues. Johann sebastian bach was a noted german composer, keyboardist, and violinist. This new recording, and score, were made possible by kimiko ishizaka, musescore, and over 900 fans who supported the project. As david ledbetter has pointed out in the 48, the well tempered clavier was, inter alia, js bachs answer to quite provocative publications of j. The well tempered clavier, book 1 the well tempered clavier, book 2 you are here. Bach compiled this second manuscript only around 1740, although once again some of the preludes and fugues it contains date from a much earlier period. This mp3 download is a rerelease of christiane jaccottets complete welltempered clavier, played on harpsichord. You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. In bach s time clavier keyboard was a generic name indicating a variety of keyboard instruments, most typically a harpsichord or clavichord but not excluding. Bach did not specify the instrument to be used for these pieces, and the clavichord has a softer sound than the clangy harpsichord. Art of the fugue and the musical offering homophony is a single melody with chords he enjoyed writing complex polyphonic, contrapuntal works such as fugues. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
Teil i nr 2 bwv 847 cmoll figuriertes praludium tanzfuge 4. The welltempered clavier, book ii by ralph kirkpatrick and tens of. The well tempered 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. Such thoughts perhaps passed through bach s mind too when surveying his own keyboard output, and the profound differences in sensibility that distinguish the second volume of the. 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. Notable performances there are lots of recordings of the well tempered clavier available, and one can find them easily either through itunes and amazon, or in the more specialist eshops, such as presto one can find even rare records, such as giesekings or pollinis recordings of the well tempered clavier. Johann sebastian bach js bach s well tempered clavier consists of two collections book i ii of preludes and fugues pf, each book going through all tones and semitones, thus climbing the 12 semitones from c to b, and presenting a pf for each tone in both major and minor key, making it 24 pf per book, and in total 48 pf the 48. Bach in, say, the harpsichord partitas is not capricious. The well tempered clavier, book one, prelude and fugue no.
In bachs time clavier keyboard was a generic name indicating a variety of keyboard instruments, most typically a harpsichord or clavichord but not excluding an organ either. The american pianist keith jarrett, mostly celebrated as a virtuosic jazz player but always a devoted performer of classical repertoire, recorded bach s the well tempered clavier book i. From all the works written in the baroque era, no other work has been so wellcherished, frequently performed and thoroughly studied than this work of bachs. Johann sebastian bach the well tempered clavier book 2 wanda landowska, who continued to perform and record up to her death in 1959, was renowned as th. His works such as the brandenburg concertos are known for their technical depth and artistic beauty. Best harpsichord recording of bach s well tempered clavier book 1 welcome to talk classical a community covering every aspect of classical music. Trevor pinnock to release first recording of bachs well. There is less clarity about the history of part two.
Mattheson, in order to defend the traditions of the german polyphonic music. This website intends to provide input in developing practically applicable concepts to improve the understanding and interpretation of js bach s well tempered clavier, whether one uses the piano, the harpsichord, organ, electronic keyboard, or any other instrument. Johann sebastian bach 1685 1750 the well tempered clavier book 2 bwv 870. The most typical ones included a clavichord, harpsichord, and other organs. 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. Its not just youthere are a number of general stylistic and architectural differences between book i and book ii, which is to be expected given that the compilations are separated by a period of twenty years. Is it just me, or does bachs wtc book 1 seem sassier. If my reaction to book i was tepid, it was more than thawed by my enthusiasm for book ii. Johann sebastian bach the well tempered clavier book 2. Licensed to youtube by the orchard music on behalf of arts productions ltd song praeludium and fuga a 4 voci bwv 871. The first thing to say is you may want to get yourself a well tempered clavier played on a clavier which is well tempered. The welltempered clavier, preludes and fugues bach. Kenneth weiss teil ii nr 1 bwv 870 cdur sinfonia tanzfuge 0.
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. Both volumes appear to be out of print, but i found volume one at cd universe. Bach s own maturation process but also the impetus for the emerging style and struct. Bach s well tempered clavier is one of the cornerstones of western classical music. Learn about welltempered clavier by js bach from the baroque era. Bach wrote 48 preludes and fugues in the two welltempered clavier books. On this two disc arta set, lithuanian harpsichordist, giedre luksaite mrazkova plays on a 1995 copy. The prelude and fugue in c major, bwv 846, is a keyboard composition written by johann sebastian bach. When kirkpatrick plays these preludes and fugues on the clavichord, it just feels. Best harpsichord recording of bachs welltempered clavier.
At any rate, the sound of the pedal harpsichord on. I would like to recommend ralph kirkpatricks clavichord recording of the well tempered clavier. Until this weekend, most versions id heard of the well tempered clavier were played on piano glenn gould and others and, correct me if im wrong, but i believe ralph kirkpatrick played a nonpedal harpsichord. S welltempered clavier the, book 2 landowska 19511954 wanda landowska, who continued to perform and record up to her death in 1959, was renowned as the greatest harpsichordist of the first half of the twentieth century. The well tempered klavier by johann sebastian bach has to be one of the highest points in the history of western music. Bach s welltempered clavier is now available on cd, and for download. It is the first prelude and fugue in the first book of the welltempered clavier, a series of 48 preludes and fugues by the composer. Walter gieseking plays bach wtc the well tempered clavier. It explores the intricacies of each of the 12 major and 12 minor keys and constitutes the largestscale and mostinfluential undertaking for. Well tempered clavier flashcards and study sets quizlet. In bachs time clavier keyboard was a generic name indicating a variety of. Learn about the well tempered clavier by baroque german composer, j. Bach s the well tempered clavier and many more listen to the harpsichord classics playlist with amazon music unlimited.
The open welltempered clavier an essential musical masterpiece, full of joy, pain, and passion, j. The welltempered clavier, bwv 846893, collection of 48 preludes and fugues by johann sebastian bach, published in two books 1722 and 1742. Well tempered clavier book ii, bwv 870893 general discussions part 1. Search the history of over 424 billion web pages on the internet. Walter gieseking 1895 1956, was a frenchborn german pianist and composer. The third thing to say is that there are many different types of harpsichord, including ones which sound like lute. The well tempered clavier, bwv, 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. To enjoy prime music, go to your music library and transfer your account to us. There are already many praises of christiane jaccottets performances of bachs welltempered clavier the individual cds that make up this release.