Simply put, The Well-Tempered Clavier is a collection of preludes and fugues written in every key . There are twelve notes in the chromatic scale, each one having a major and minor mode, thus 24 keys. There are two books because Bach amazingly did this twice, writing two preludes and fugues for each key, thus the ’48.
Why did Bach write preludes?
Bach gave the title Das Wohltemperirte Clavier to a book of preludes and fugues in all 24 keys, major and minor, dated 1722, composed “for the profit and use of musical youth desirous of learning, and especially for the pastime of those already skilled in this study “.
Why did he write The Well-Tempered Clavier?
In Bach’s own words The Well-Tempered Clavier was composed “for the profit and use of musical youth desirous of learning and especially for the pastime of those already skilled in this study .” These manuscripts were copied and circulated widely throughout Europe but the work was not officially published until 1801.
When was The Well-Tempered Clavier first performed?
The first collection was written in 1722 and the second was written in 1742, but they were not published until 1801, fifty years after Bach died. Although the music was written for the harpsichord, which was popular at the time, today it is usually played and heard on a piano.
Is The Well-Tempered Clavier for beginners?
Prelude in C-major, Well-Tempered Clavier, Bk. 1, BWV 846. In a way, this most simple and beautiful of Bach preludes is also one of the most accessible and easy to learn. ... This is the first piece of Bach’s incomparable masterwork for keyboard, The Well-Tempered Clavier, BWV 846-893 (also known as the WTC).
What is the meaning of well tempered?
1a obsolete : properly constituted physically a strong well -tempered stomach— Algernon Sydney. b : having a good or equable disposition especially : good-natured a discreet and well-tempered officer — George Grote.
How many pieces in total does The Well-Tempered Clavier include?
The Well-Tempered Clavier, BWV 846–893, German Das wohltemperierte Klavier, byname the Forty-eight, collection of 48 preludes and fugues by Johann Sebastian Bach, published in two books (1722 and 1742).
Is Prelude in C easy?
It is in C major and perhaps the easiest prelude from the set , consisting mostly of a set of arpeggios or broken chords with the left hand playing and sustaining the bottom 2 notes and the right hand playing and repeating the top 3 notes of each chord.
What level is Bach Prelude in C Major?
The piece (Prelude in C BWV 846) is graded at level 5 in certain places, but can be played after just a few weeks of piano.
When did Bach write Prelude in C Major?
He completed Book 1 in 1722, during his last year as Kapellmeister of Prince Leopold’s court at Anhalt-Köthen. Book 2 did not take its final form until 1742 . Each book contains one prelude and fugue in every key, arranged in a systematic format that steps along the chromatic scale.
What is the well tempered tuning system?
Origins. As used in the 17th century, the term “well tempered” meant that the twelve notes per octave of the standard keyboard were tuned in such a way that it was possible to play music in all major or minor keys that were commonly in use, without sounding perceptibly out of tune.
What is B Minor Mass?
The Mass in B minor (German: h-Moll-Messe), BWV 232, is an extended setting of the Mass ordinary by Johann Sebastian Bach . The composition was completed in 1749, the year before the composer’s death, and was to a large extent based on earlier work, such as a Sanctus Bach had composed in 1724.
What does BWV 846 stand for?
The Well-Tempered Clavier , BWV 846–893, German Das wohltemperierte Klavier, byname the Forty-eight, collection of 48 preludes and fugues by Johann Sebastian Bach, published in two books (1722 and 1742).
Is Well-Tempered Clavier difficult?
Some of the preludes alone are not as difficult to learn as the combination of both prelude and fugue together. This is down to the fact that the fugues are written in a complex polyphonic way that is always a major challenge to play well.
How Do You Do Well-Tempered Clavier?
- If you want to learn a piece of the Well-tempered Clavier, don’t play along too much, without actually learning it. ...
- Instead, one should analyze the music, make a concept for interpretation, find and train proper fingerings, etc.
What is the easiest Bach piece?
- Aria Da Capo, BWV 988.
- Bourree, BWV 816.
- Bourree, BWV 996.
- Fugue No. 9 In E Major, BWV 878.
- Fugue No. 7 In E-Flat Major, BWV 876.
- Gavotte, BWV 817.
- Gavotte, BWV 816.
- Gavotte In G Minor, BWV 822.
