The harpsichord used in this recording is a reconstruction by Matthias Kramer, based on a single surviving lid that indicated it was built in the style of Christian Zell, Hamburg 1728.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Bach's obituary states that he tuned his harpsichords so that all tonalities sounded pleasant, allowing him to play perfectly in every key.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Bach explicitly demanded the harpsichord for some of his most emblematic keyboard works, such as Clavierübung II and IV, specifying "for a harpsichord with two manuals."
Composer Biography
Bach was sent to Berlin by Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen, his patron, possibly to examine a "Grand Clavessin" built by Michael Mietke before bringing it back to court.
Composition History
Bach's "The Well-Tempered Clavier" was written in 1722 for the use and profit of musical youth and for the pastime of those already skilled.
Interpretation
The tuning system used for this recording is based on Dr. Bradley Lehman's contemporary theory, which interprets drawings on Bach's original title page as a coded message for temperament.
