The equal temperament tuning system simplified instrument manufacturing by allowing a single string to produce enharmonic sounds, which previously required two.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Bach considered his first collection of The Well-Tempered Clavier to have significant pedagogical value, while the second collection showcased a more elevated poetic idea.
Composer Biography
Bach compiled the first part of The Well-Tempered Clavier in 1722, collecting 24 preludes and fugues into a single book, including some pieces he had written before 1718.
Performer Biography
Daniel Levy, the pianist on this recording, is a world-renowned classical pianist and a significant exponent of the Vincenzo Scaramuzza school of piano playing.
Composition History
The first part of The Well-Tempered Clavier, dating from 1722, was largely written in Cöthen, with many pieces composed quickly, some even without an instrument at hand.
Compositional Technique
The title "The Well-Tempered Clavier" refers to an "equal temperament" tuning system, which allowed instruments to play in all keys without sounding unpleasant.
Composition History
Bach made three handwritten copies of The Well-Tempered Clavier, which still exist and show many variations when compared to printed versions.
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