Bach's The Art of Fugue, though published posthumously, was part of a series of works from his final years demonstrating a preoccupation with canonic and fugal polyphony.
Composition History
The Art of Fugue remained unpublished until after Bach's death, with its first imprint in 1751 containing an incomplete final fugue.
Compositional Technique
The Art of Fugue is constructed on variants of the same musical theme, with each piece exploring different contrapuntal techniques.
Composition History
The expansion of The Art of Fugue might have been a requirement for Bach's affiliation with the Mizler Society, which mandated annual scientific communications or compositions from its members.
Recording & Production
This recording features Pieter-Jan Belder playing both harpsichord and clavichord, with Gerard de Wit joining on a second harpsichord for two tracks.
Composition History
The composition of The Art of Fugue may have been spurred by a challenge from Johann Mattheson, a contemporary theorist, for Bach to write fugues with three subjects.
Performer Biography
Pieter-Jan Belder, the harpsichordist and clavichordist on this album, won the Leipzig Bach harpsichord competition in 2000.
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