The 'London autograph' of The Well-Tempered Clavier Book II, which includes Bach's own handwriting and that of his wife Anna Magdalena, is now held in the British Library.
Composition History
Bach compiled the second volume of The Well-Tempered Clavier, consisting of 24 preludes and fugues in all 24 keys, nearly 20 years after the first volume.
Composition History
Bach's son-in-law, Johann Christoph Altnickol, created the earliest complete copy of The Well-Tempered Clavier Book II, as no autograph was known for a long time.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Beyond tuning, the term 'well-tempered' also alludes to the ancient temperament doctrine, which linked physical and mental harmony to a balance of four bodily fluids.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The term 'well-tempered' in the title refers to a new tuning method that allowed for all keys to be playable, which Bach welcomed for its possibility of limitless modulation.
Performer Biography
Gerlinde Otto has been a piano professor at the Franz Liszt School of Music Weimar since 1992 and regularly serves as a jury member for music competitions.
Performer Biography
Gerlinde Otto, the pianist on this album, received her first musical instruction at age five and has performed internationally in countries like Canada, South Korea, and China.
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