The first complete performance of The Art of Fugue did not take place until 1922, due to its initial poor sales and the subsequent loss of its printing plates.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Bach added his signature, a motive on the notes B-A-C-H, near the end of the final, unfinished fugue (number 14) in The Art of Fugue.
Compositional Technique
The Art of Fugue was written on four staves, a common practice for complex polyphonic works during Bach's time.
Performer Biography
Geoffrey Madge, the pianist on this recording, was the first and only person to receive permission from composer K. Sorabji to perform his monumental 3.5-hour work, Opus Clavicembalisticum.
Composition History
Bach worked seriously on The Art of Fugue from 1742 until 1749/50, when he stopped, possibly due to bad eyesight, leaving the 14th fugue unfinished.
Critical Reception
Only about 30 copies of The Art of Fugue were sold, and its printing plates were later sold as scrap by Bach's sons to cover funeral costs.
Recording & Production
This recording of The Art of Fugue by Geoffrey Madge was made in November 2020 at the Zeeuwse Concertzaal in Middelburg, Netherlands.
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