Bach's wife, Anna Magdalena, helped him compile "The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II" by copying nearly half of the movements in the first stage of its creation.
Composition History
Unlike most of his vocal works, Bach's keyboard works, including "The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II," were not composed for a specific occasion, and their exact reasons for creation are not well-documented.
Performer Biography
Masato Suzuki, the harpsichordist on this recording, is also active as a conductor, composer, pianist, and organist, and is the principal conductor of the Bach Collegium Japan.
Composition History
The collection "The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II" likely evolved from teaching material Bach gathered for his exceptionally able students, who later became influential figures in Western music.
Compositional Technique
The preludes in "The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II" are stylistically more diverse and often more substantial than those in the first book, with some even considered precursors to classical sonata form.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Bach's aim in "The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II" was to collect 24 carefully crafted compositions that demonstrate his understanding of all keys, numbers, and musical ideas associated with them at the time.
Composition History
Bach completed "The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II" around 1742, a collection of twenty-four preludes and fugues covering all tonalities.
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