The Well-Tempered Clavier, a collection of preludes and fugues in all 24 keys, established equal temperament tuning and remains a cornerstone of Western classical music education and performance.
This prelude and fugue from The Well-Tempered Clavier showcases Bach’s mastery of harmony and structure. The prelude is a lively, rhythmically driven piece, while the four-voice fugue intricately weaves its subject through diverse keys and inversions.
A collection of preludes and fugues in all 24 major and minor keys, it pioneered equal temperament tuning and remains a keystone of keyboard repertoire, blending technical mastery with profound musical expression.
This fugue is part of Bach's seminal "Well-Tempered Clavier" (Book I), composed to demonstrate equal temperament tuning. It features a vibrant subject with dotted-note figures and intricate counterpoint, showcasing Baroque contrapuntal mastery while avoiding pedagogical dryness through its musical inventiveness.
The Well-Tempered Clavier, completed in 1722, is a landmark collection of preludes and fugues in all 24 keys. Book I's Prelude and Fugue in D major (BWV 850) showcases Bach's mastery of counterpoint. The prelude features lively arpeggios, while the fugue develops a spirited subject through intricate three-voice polyphony, demonstrating the feasibility of equal temperament tuning.
