Well tempered clavier flashcards and study sets quizlet. Some 20 years later bach compiled a second book of the same kind, which became known as the well tempered clavier. Bwv846 bwv851 friedrich gulda, piano april 1972 no. Book 2 of the welltempered clavier was collected from 1738 and probably completed by 1742, about twenty years after book 1. Aug 14, 2010 they both run about the same difficulty. Bach, glenn gould the welltempered clavier, book 1. Book 1 contains the more popular preludes and fugues. Theres even one by yours truly of a 36cd brilliant classics collection containing the complete scarlatti. Many performers touch the first aspect only briefly and focus on the flow of the music, to be able to. Welltempered clavier book i bwv 846869 discography. S welltempered clavier the, book 1 jando by johann sebastian bach.
Each set consists of twenty four preludes and fugues in all of the major and minor keys in ascending order. I think all of them are very enjoyable to listen to, but some suggestions for the first book. 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. Order from your preferred classical music cd store arkivmusic. The welltempered clavier recorded in 1983, kenneth gilberts welltempered clavier proudly stands the test of time as a reference harpsichord version. Bach enjoyed playing the organ, harpsichord, clavichord, and even the lautenclavicymbel, and. 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. This website is incredibly resourceful, and one can especially check the 1722 original of the well tempered clavier book 1. Richter bach the welltempered clavier book bwv 846 893. 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. Some 20 years later bach compiled a second book of the same kind, which became known as the well tempered clavier, part two in. His art was of an encyclopedic nature, drawing together a.
Book ii of her recording of bachs welltempered clavier was made between 1951 and 1954 at her home in lakeville. 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. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Do not touch book 2 until you feel confident with all in book 1.
Bach composed a paired prelude and fugue in each of the 24 keys to demonstrate the viability of the. Schiff turned his focus to the 48 preludes and fugues of the well tempered clavier, making studio recordings of both books in the auditorium radiosvizzera italiana, lugano. One can learn the entirety of both well tempered clavier books in a year, i would estimate, but it would take a lifetime to master. 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.
Before the advent of modern tonality in the late 17th century, numerous composers produced collections of pieces in all seven modes. Certain online resources for the distribution of lossless music, such as are not mentioned hereabouts, may be relevant in this context. What is the significance of the welltempered clavier. See all 8 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. 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. Such thoughts perhaps passed through bachs mind too when surveying his own keyboard output, and the profound differences in. 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. Free sheet music for the complete 48 preludes and fugues of the well tempered clavier by j. 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. Bach the well tempered claiver book 2 feinberg duration.
The well tempered clav ier, 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 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. Books i and ii pieterjan belder hpd period instruments brilliant 93892 4 cds. The episode has an 89% score on rotten tomatoes and has an average rating of 8. The welltempered clavier is two sets of preludes and fugues for keyboard.
Ranking of difficulty of well tempered clavier preludes. The well tempered clavier is a collection of solo keyboard music composed by johann sebastian bach. Poloarts china cl4b86080 whether this last is a legit licensed issue, or a pirate, i have no idea. Although the welltempered clavier was the first collection of fully worked keyboard pieces in all 24 keys, similar ideas had occurred earlier. Where book 1 proudly displays its brilliance, book 2 is brilliantly elusive. Book ii of her recording of bachs well tempered clavier was made between 1951 and 1954 at her home in lakeville. An iconic inspiration for composers from mozart and beethoven to chopin and brahms and beyond, the welltempered clavier has long been considered the old testament of the keyboard literature with beethovens piano sonatas as the new testament. Bach the well tempered claiver book 2 feinberg youtube. Analysis js bachs music combines two elements, namely a high degree of formalism and complexity with utmost beauty. The well tempered clavier, bwv 846893, collection of 48 preludes and fugues by johann sebastian bach, published in two books 1722 and 1742. They were published in two separate books, book i, which was composed in 1722, and book ii.
Eminent bachspecialist sir andras schiff here performs book i. I would appreciate any info on ranking of the difficulty of the preludes in the well tempered clavier. I know there have been discussions of ranking the difficulty of the well tempered clavier for example, bartok, but it is my understanding that those take into account the fugues as well. The performance is magnificent, on a par with those in the recent recordings by andras schiff and thomas gunther, which i regard as the best. 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. In bachs time cla vier was a generic name indicating a variety of keyboard instruments, most typically a harpsichord or clavic hord but not excluding an organ either the modern german spelling. Each book contains 24 relatively free, improvisatory preludes, each of which precedes a fugue. Prelude and fugue in c minor and well tempered clavier. The welltempered clavier is a collection of two books of keyboard music.
The well tempered clavier, book 1 bwv 846869 the well tempered clavier 1 is a collection of educational pieces with exceptionally high artistic contents. This website is incredibly resourceful, and one can especially check the 1722 original of the welltempered clavier book 1. Like thinkgreenlovepiano already said, i think all of them are very enjoyable to listen to, but some suggestions for the first book. I first encountered the young austrian pianist till fellner two years ago at the risor festival. Bach loved numbers, symbolism, and symmetry, so this is very likely his way of showing that he intended to write 24 fugues altogether. Johann pachelbels magnificat fugues composed 16951706, georg muffats apparatus musicoorganisticus of 1690 and.
The welltempered clavier confirms a multitude of popular theories in an episode marked by bleak revelations and tragic results. The well tempered clavier book 2 prelude e fugue in a, bwv 888. Unless youre angela hewitt or glenn gould i would recommend mastering only a select few preludes and fugues rather than being okay at all of them. See all 7 formats and editions hide other formats and editions.
Book 11722, book 2 1724 significance of title well tempered. 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. The well tempered clavier, book 1 2 cd 2 cd johann sebastian bach artist format. Welltempered clavier book i bwv 846869 discography part 8. The wtc was written for the harpsichord, but is now mostly performed on its successor, the piano. The well tempered clavier, book one, prelude and fugue no. The welltempered clavier, bwv 846893, collection of 48 preludes and fugues by johann sebastian bach, published in two books 1722 and 1742. The well tempered clavier on organ as is widely accepted today, johann sebastian bach did not have a singledout keyboard instrument in mind when he. These preludefugue pairs cycle through all 24 possible major and minor tona. 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. Id buy book 2, learn these, and then go back to book 1. The welltemperedclavier, book ii wtc 2 french title.
Sep 07, 2017 the two volumes of bachs the welltempered clavier together represent a wealth of musical invention, ingenuity and delight. Preludes and fugues the welltempered clavier, by j. 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. The welltempered clavier, book ii 1740 complete recording by breemer, c. Which book of bachs well tempered clavier is easier overall. The well tempered clavier book 2 scrolling youtube bernstein, the greatest 5 min. In some of the preludes and fugues the articulation is sharp and precise, in a way reminiscent of the highly staccato style of friedrich gulda. The well tempered clavier book 2 scrolling youtube. 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. It consists of one prelude and fugue for each of the 24 major and minor keys.
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