The other two themes are more in the nature of countersubjects. The well tempered clavier, book 2, bwv 870893, musical incipits and difficulty ratings. A detailed analysis of bach s 48 preludes and fugues. Yo tomita the links on this page point to files at yo tomitas well tempered clavier book ii midi page. At 115 measures in length, and in five voices, this is one of bach s longest and most densely crafted fugues. Welltempered clavier, book 2 is a recording with the piano virtuoso anne hewitt. Johann sebastian bach well tempered clavier piano solo ashley publications. A detailed guide that analyzes the structural, harmonic and thematic frame of the prelude and the fugue. Chapter 4 is an analysis of bach s fugue in e major from book ii of the well tempered clavier. The welltempered clavier, book 2, bwv 870893 by richard egarr and tens of millions of other songs on all your devices with amazon music unlimited.
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. Johann sebastian bachs well tempered clavier posts. I had reported very favorably on guldas wtc 2nd book and indicated id be buying book l. Through her generosity, they are provided here at earsense where they play an essential role in our collaborative presentation. Episode ii, modulating from d major to a and closing in that key in bar 20. For close to two centuries the preludes and fugues of the welltempered clavier wtc have occupied a central position in the canon of piano pedagogy. It is the first prelude and fugue in the first book of the well tempered clavier, a series of 48 preludes and fugues by the composer. The well tempered clavier book 2 scrolling youtube bach. Guldas welltempered clavier book ii bach cantatas website.
Schiffs bach sings and dances, and has a clarity derived from a mesmerising touch and an aversion to the sustain pedal. 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. Another style often found in bachs preludes from the welltempered clavier is the french overture style. Bach loved numbers, symbolism, and symmetry, so this is very likely his way of showing that. Welltempered clavier selections iiii music analysis.
Hewitt is the best interpreter alive today but still behind the immortal tallent of glenn gould. New public domain recording and score arrive in time for j. Bach s well tempered clavier was recently covered by a new website, created by tim smith, who teaches composition at the northern arizona university and is in charge of the bach digital project under the umbrella of the oregon bach festival. A detailed guide that analyzes the structural, harmonic and. Free sheet music for the complete 48 preludes and fugues of the well tempered clavier by j. Compiled and prepared for the benefit and practice of young musicians desirous of learning, as well as for the entertainment of those already versed in this particular study, by.
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 welltempered clavier, bwv 846893, collection of 48 preludes and fugues by johann sebastian bach, published in two books 1722 and 1742. Analysis js bachs music combines two elements, namely a high degree of formalism and complexity with utmost beauty. As a quintessential baroque fugue, bachs d major fugue from book 1 of the welltempered clavier will make for suitable illustration of how to analyze a fugue. A most impressive 220page edition of the first volume of the welltempered clavier, these 24 preludes and 24 fugues were painstakingly researched over a period of 10 years, using the most important original manuscript sources. Indepth analysis and interpretation, siglind bruhn has crafted 48 jewels of her own, 48 elegant and eloquent visualizations of bach s precious fugues.
Scores, if not hundreds of books, whether for performers or analysts, provide all sorts of. The complete preludes and fugues from the well tempered clavier, volume ii. This comprehensive, indepth work book on bach s well tempered clavier should be part of every pianists, piano teachers, and advanced piano amateurs library. Johann sebastian bachs well tempered clavier posts facebook. A general introduction covers topics like the origins of the wtc, the welltempered scale, the clavier at. Preludes and fugues through all tones and semitones. Here you find 3 complete recordings and several single preludes and fugues of the welltempered clavier by johann sebastian bach. For book 2, to view originals is a more complex exercise, given the lack of the one authoritative original from js bach s hand and the fragmentation of historical copies see the work of yo tomita for more info on this. Bach preludes and fugues 112 well tempered clavier, book. First, it is one of the rare fugues with five voices there are two in book 1. Analysis of dsharp minor fugue from the welltempered clavier. Dsharp minor fugue from book i of bachs welltempered clavier. Well tempered clavier for the piano book i forty eight preludes and fugues for the piano in two volumes. This website is incredibly resourceful, and one can especially check the 1722 original of the well tempered clavier book 1.
Also included is an outstanding recording from the naxos label. 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. Instrumental album piano solo sheet music schirmer. Jsb introduces one of his rare tempo indications in the prelude, marking the second section of the prelude with presto.
Through her generosity, they are provided here at earsense where they play an. Period ii, starting with a change of tempo, is in two parts only as far. The well tempered clavier, bwv 846893, collection of 48 preludes and fugues by johann sebastian bach, published in two books 1722 and 1742. Songlist fortyeight preludes and fugues nos 124 12. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. The first collection was written in 1722 and the second was written in 1742.
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. He completed the first volume in cothen in 1722 and the second around 16 years later in leipzig. I think gulda shows a little more variety of pacing and mood in book 1. The well tempered clavier book 1 scrolling duration. 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. This comprehensive, indepth work book on bachs welltempered clavier should be part of every pianists, piano teachers, and advanced piano amateurs library. The c minor prelude of bachs welltempered clavier is very well known and needs no introduction. 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.
Evelyne crochet records bachs well tempered clavier. While it contains three themes, it is not properly structured as a triple fugue because only the first idea receives exposition. Bach, fugue in e major, welltempered clavier, book ii. Bachthe welltempered clavier, book 1 bwv 846869kimiko ishizaka, piano.
Overview and detailed comment sections the welltempered clavier book 1 presents an incredible variety of beautiful and partly highly sophisticated keyboard pieces, each of which it makes sense to devote time to. Prelude and fugue in f minor, from well tempered clavier book i johann sebastian bach. In bachs time clavier keyboard was a generic name indicating a variety of keyboard instruments, most typically a harpsichord. A general introduction covers topics like the origins of the wtc, the well tempered scale, the clavier at. I purchased the welltempered clavier book one about 15 years ago, while taking piano lessons. Ms hewitt has written the linernotes and one also gets a very short bio on the performer. Preludes and fugues the welltempered clavier, by j. Incidentally, this subject is an example of double dotting or. Learn about the welltempered clavier by baroque german composer, j. A detailed guide that analyzes the structural, harmonic and thematic frame of. Mattheson, in order to defend the traditions of the german polyphonic music. Examples of this style are the prelude in d major from book 2 and the prelude in g minor, also from book 2. This prelude is an intentionally simple series of chord arpeggios, walking through some modulations in the vicinity of and returning back to c maj. Bachs welltempered clavier indepth analysis and interpretation.
The welltempered clavier is a great keyboard collection of preludes and fugues, which bach paired together. More information about these sequences can be found there. Prelude and fugue in f minor from welltempered clavier. The book is part i of a fourvolume work that consists of various elements. The welltempered clavier book ii and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. It explores the intricacies of each of the 12 major and 12 minor keys and constitutes the largestscale and mostinfluential undertaking for. The well tempered clavier is the title of two collections of preludes and fugues by johann sebastian bach. Indepth analysis and interpretation, volume i 9789625800172 by bruhn, siglind and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices.
In some of the areas, the fingering is driving me crazy. Further, readers who love their bach played in legato fashion should consider crochet a mandatory item for their bach library. While i couldnt play this music with any decency i was captivated by it in a way i hadnt been with other solo piano pieces. The chapter considers the possible the relevance of such modes of hearing to eighteenthcentury listeners and employs certain ideas from. Well tempered clavier book i, prelude c major we start our analysis with the, so to say, entry door into the 48, the well tempered clavier book i, prelude c maj. Weve begun with the well tempered clavier the prelude and fugue in cminor from book 1.
Volume ii deals with the preludes and fugues wtc i, nos. The haunting fivevoice fugue in bflat minor has several characteristics which are notable. Here you find 3 complete recordings and several single preludes and fugues of the well tempered clavier by johann sebastian bach. In bachs time clavier keyboard was a generic name indicating a variety of. The comb binding creates a layflat book that is perfect for study and performance.
Many consider the two books of the welltempered clavier bachs finest keyboard collection. The well tempered clavier book 2 scrolling youtube. I wish to extend my thanks to yo for allowing me to link to them. The well tempered clavier, book 2 complete bwv 870893 johann sebastian bach. Bach s well tempered clavier, book 1, into the public domain. 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. Some news from my research project on the welltempered clavier. A proper analysis of js bach s well tempered clavier is therefore simply a must for anybody who takes playing the 48 seriously. The object of the present analysis is to place in the hands of students a detailed and exhaustive scheme of every prelude and fugue. The welltempered clavier, book 2, bwv 870893 johann. In a conventional baroque fugue, the subject is first stated by itself.
Ranking of difficulty of well tempered clavier preludes. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. This website intends to provide input in developing practically applicable concepts to improve the understanding and interpretation of js bachs welltempered clavier, whether one uses the piano, the harpsichord, organ, electronic keyboard, or any other instrument. Perhaps it was because bach composed this music as instructional pieces for his son wilhelm friedemann. D major fugue from the welltempered clavier, book ii, by j. The analysis employs the sdpc gis introduced in chapter 1 to explore the ways in which the fugue subject takes on the hues of its shifting tonal surroundings. The welltempered clavier is the title of two collections of preludes and fugues by johann sebastian bach. Book 2 of johann sebastian bachs the welltempered clavier features revisions by bruno mugellini as well as annotations in english french italian and german. Bach, andras schiff the welltempered clavier, book. Second, the theme features a dramatic and expressive leap of a minor 9th the big jump upwards between the 2nd and 3rd notes. 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. Bach s 330th birthday cologne, germany, march 19, 2015 prnewswire pianist kimiko ishizaka has released her studio recording, j. More than a decade has lapsed between instalments of masaaki suzukis welltempered clavier.
Theres a prelude and fugue pair for each of the 24 keys on the piano major and minor. 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. First, it is one of the rare fugues with five voices there are two in book 1 of the welltempered clavier, and none in book 2. The prelude and fugue in c major, bwv 846, is a keyboard composition written by johann sebastian bach. The music was written in all 24 major and minor keys for solo keyboard. It lives up to book 1s high artistic and sonic standards, and possibly surpasses them. The c minor prelude from js bachs welltempered clavier, book 2. Evelyne crochet is a breathtaking guide in book ii, and thats sufficient to warrant the price of admission. Which published edition of this work would you all recommend for me so that i can get the fingering right. Suzukis intelligent virtuosity operates on several levels. Many consider the two books of the welltempered clavier bach s finest keyboard collection. I would appreciate any info on ranking of the difficulty of the preludes in the well tempered clavier.
1044 1442 213 642 1374 98 1269 936 137 490 565 756 1468 663 98 247 250 716 291 1499 1233 1352 386 782 1211 265 1075 760 703 403 353 317 804 1439