Johann sebastian bach 16851750 written in 1722, publicated in 1801. The harpsichord is a beautiful flemishfrench recent research shows it is rather more french than flemish harpsichord gilberts own that has a marvelous sound. Johann sebastian bach welltempered clavier, book 1, bwv846. 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. Apart from the early versions of several preludes included in w. Bach, the welltempered clavier, book i, fugue no 15 in g. 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.
Complete score of the welltempered clavier, book 1, by johann sebastian bach open welltempered clavier project. Schiffs 2012 recording is also good, but i prefer his earlier recording. By building a major and minor diatonic 7 tones scale from each of the 12 semitones, we arrive at 24 keys, the complete circle of fifths, and the number of preludefugue pairs in each book of the welltempered clavier. Navona records presents the well tempered clavier, bk 1 performed by awardwinning pianist kimiko ishizaka, regarded as a gifted and obviously devoted bachian by the new york times. Book 1, part 1 the open well tempered clavier sheet music. Ishizaka studied the notes and phrases of bachs solo keyboard works in a systematic manner in order to discover an interpretation which adheres to the. Bachs welltempered clavier book 1 interpreted by s d. Schiffs early 1980s recording is good, but does not appeal to me as much as the above three. With its magnificent and magisterial performances by sviatoslav richter, one would have imagined that this 1970 recording of the first book of bachs welltempered clavier would be on the shelf of everyone who reveres richter and worships bach.
My favourite recordings of bachs well tempered clavier are this one, sviatoslav richters and despite its mono sound edwin fischers. Bach well tempered clavier roger woodward 199225 dc. Prelude and fugue in c minor and well tempered clavier. The preludes are from the open welltempered clavier project, and were made using musescore software. Its book 2 counterpart proves no less multicoloured. Js bach, the welltempered clavier book 1, detailed comments. The welltempered clavier, bwv 846893, collection of 48 preludes and fugues by johann sebastian bach, published in two books 1722 and 1742. In a way, this is the best possible version of the wtc to someone who is looking for a balanced, deep and totally honest version. Best harpsichord recording of bachs welltempered clavier. Bach, wanda landowska from amazons classical music store. Bach, johann sebastian welltempered clavier book 1. The welltempered clavier book ii angela hewitt piano. Preludes and fugues the welltempered clavier, by j.
Some refer to rosalyn tureck as the high priestess of bach keyboard performance. For most arrangements, see the separate pages for the individual preludes and fugues. 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. In bach s 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. Johann sebastian bach welltempered clavier, book 1. 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 bach s. Bachs klavierbuchlein 1720 there is an almost complete collection of prelude and fughetta versions predating the 1722 autograph, known from a later copy by an. The well tempered clavier book 1 scrolling youtube. Customers and visitors can download classical music in high quality flac or mp3 and find out more about classical music. The welltempered clavier book ii, bwv 870893 arthur loesser, piano the master tapes for this recording were made in mr.
The welltempered clavier book i joanna mcgregor piano. The welltempered clavier, book 1 bwv 846869 the welltempered clavier 1 is a collection of educational pieces with exceptionally high artistic contents. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Which published edition of this work would you all recommend for me so that i can get the fingering right.
The welltempered clavier complete by glenn gould 1. Prelude i in c major, bwv 846 well tempered clavier. It is tempting to imagine that bach chose these details as clever, creative constraints. Sviatoslav richter piano melodiya rca red seal olympia le chant du monde russian revelation. Such is the music in book ii of the welltempered clavier, and roger woodward reinforces all of my feelings about. 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. If anyone deserves legendary status as a bach keyboard performer, its probably wanda landowska. Prelude c minor the c min prelude of book 1 finds a parallel in wilhelm friedemann bachs clavierbuchlein keyboard booklet and, as ledbetter points out, it is quite clearly an exercise to make all fingers of both hands busy which, today, may seem nothing special, but at jsbs time it was a rather modern concept.
Nov 30, 2015 the preludes are from the open well tempered clavier project, and were made using musescore software. S welltempered clavier the, book 1 landowska 19491951 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, resurrecting the instrument and taking a scholarly approach to the performance of music from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. 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. Continue from part 1 donald satz wrote february 16, 2001. Weve begun with the well tempered clavier the prelude and fugue in cminor from book 1.
The well tempered clavier is two books of music for solo keyboard by js bach, the first written in 1722, and the second twenty years later in 1742. The preludes and fugues that make up bachs welltempered clavier operate on multiple levels at once theyre a compilation of techniques for. Bach prelude and fugue no 15 well tempered clavier, book 2 with. With its magnificent and magisterial performances by sviatoslav richter, one would have imagined that this 1970 recording of the first book of bach s well tempered clavier would be on the shelf of everyone who reveres richter and worships bach. Welltempered clavier, book 1, bwv846869 various arrangements play streams in full or download mp3 from classical archives, the largest and best organized classical music site on the web. Book 11722, book 21724 significance of title well tempered. The well tempered clavier, bwv 846893, collection of 48 preludes and fugues by johann sebastian bach, published in two books 1722 and 1742. The first book of the welltempered clavier was composed in the early 1720s, with bachs autograph dated 1722. 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. The sunday times has called her one of the outstanding bach pianist of. Bachs welltempered clavier is now available on cd, and for download.
I would appreciate any info on ranking of the difficulty of the preludes in the well tempered clavier. Free sheet music for the complete 48 preludes and fugues of the well tempered clavier by j. I was very impressed with the set and have been looking forward to his recording of book ii which has just been issued. Please feel free to comment on any notation engraving error complete. The well tempered clavier book 1 scrolling youtube a. Js bach, the welltempered clavier book 1, detailed. Its just perfect, ive been listening to and playing some of this music for about 15 years now and i never get tired of it, there is so much variety and so many brilliant musical ideas here that you never really understand all of it and so it is constantly surprising you, on the surface. Best harpsichord recording of bachs welltempered clavier book 1 welcome to talk classical a community covering every aspect of classical music. Print and download in pdf or midi the open well tempered clavier. Loessers studio at the cleveland institute of music in 1964 by kenneth hamann.
Bach loved numbers, symbolism, and symmetry, so this is very likely his way of showing that he intended to write 24 fugues altogether. Well tempered clavier book 1 schirmers library of musical. The prelude is steadily and earnestly flowing, producing a polyphonic aria of rare beauty, similar to what js bach has achieved in book 1 prelude f. Well tempered clavier book 1 schirmers library of musical classics vo. 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. This new recording, and score, were made possible by kimiko ishizaka. Prelude i in c major, bwv 846 well tempered clavier first. In some of the areas, the fingering is driving me crazy. This edition of johann sebastian bachs famous keyboard work the welltempered clavier was edited by ferruccio busoni, who also added historical information and a large number of performance notes that will relate to piano performance. Johann sebastian bach 16851750 the welltempered clavier, book i, bwv 846869 cd 1 bwv 846857 59. The fugues are from kyle rothers lillypond engraving. You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to. Every note of the book 1 d major preludes rapid righthand passagework falls into a seamless, centred long line, while book 1s b minor prelude benefits from woodwards alla breve conception that refreshingly contrasts with slower, more solemn renditions. Its just perfect, ive been listening to and playing some of this music for about 15 years now and i never get tired of it, there is so much variety and so many brilliant musical ideas here that you never really understand all of it and so it is constantly surprising you, on the.
Johann sebastian bach 1685 1750 the well tempered clavier, book 1 00. One of the 48 pieces is dedicated to someone or something you love or honor. Prelude in d major continuous semiquavers from the right hand and a staccato bass line makes this prelude very joyous and playful. Complete score of the well tempered clavier, book 1, by johann sebastian bach open well tempered clavier project. The open welltempered clavier an essential musical masterpiece, full of joy, pain, and passion, j. The solemn and expressive, recitative character of the melody is reminiscent of bachs passion music. Some 20 years later bach compiled a second book of the same kind, which became known as the welltempered clavier, part two in german.
The well tempered clavier book ii, bwv 870893 arthur loesser, piano the master tapes for this recording were made in mr. I think the well tempered clavier by johann sebastian bach is the best music ever written by anyone ever. Welltempered clavier book 1 by johann sebastian bach, bob van asperen from amazons classical music store. Kimiko ishizaka bach welltempered clavier, book 1 01 prelude no. But, in fact, theyre not and the simple reason for it is that richters performances sound like they were taped in a drafty castle.
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