The Well-Tempered Clavier: 48 Preludes and Fugues Book I Volume 1 - Paperback

by Johann Sebastian Bach (Author), Donald Francis Tovey (Author), Eric Wen (Introduction by)

A monument in the history of Western music, The Well-Tempered Clavier represents not only the culmination of J. S. Bach's own maturation process but also the impetus for the emerging style and structure of modern keyboard music. Mozart, Beethoven, and Chopin were influenced by its polyphonic richness and depth of harmony, and Schumann counseled young musicians to "make The Well-Tempered Clavier your daily bread." Modern pianists can follow Schumann's advice with this new edition of an authoritative and long-out-of-print score that offers illuminating perspectives from a pair of eminent musical interpreters.
Book I of this two-volume set features Sir Donald Francis Tovey's analyses of 24 preludes and fugues, including suggestions for performance. In addition to commentaries by Tovey, a lauded Bach scholar and world-famous musicologist, the pieces are complemented by fingerings devised by Harold Samuel, a major Bach interpreter. Students, teachers, and professionals will appreciate this finely engraved and modestly priced version of Bach's enduring works.

Author Biography

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was a prolific German composer and organist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments exemplify the heart and soul of the Baroque period. A revival of interest and performances of his music began early in the 19th century and continues to this day. He is now widely considered to be one of the greatest composers in the Western tradition.
Sir Donald Francis Tovey was a British music analyst, musicologist, music writer, composer, conductor, and pianist. He is best known for his Essays in Musical Analysis and his editions of the works of Bach and Beethoven.
Eric Wen is the Edward Aldwell Professor of Music at the Mannes College of Music in New York.