Bach's Well-tempered clavier : the 48 preludes and fugues / David Ledbetter.
| Author/creator | Ledbetter, David |
| Format | Book |
| Publication Info | New Haven ; London : Yale University Press, ©2002. |
| Description | 352 pages : music ; 24 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Full text available from Ebook Central - Academic Complete |
| Subjects |
| Portion of title | 48 preludes and fugues |
| Contents | Introduction. The 1722 title-page ; Genesis and sources -- Part I: Concepts. Clavier. Clavier ; Harpsichord ; Clavichord ; Spinet ; Organ ; Lautenwerk ; Pianoforte -- Well-tempered. The background to Bach's tunings ; Bach and tuning to 1722 ; Bach and tuning c.1740 -- Preludes. The Prelude and Fugue as a genre -- Book I. Prelude traditions ; The traditional sectional Praeludium ; Figuration preludes ; The invention principle ; Sonata, dance and ritornello principles ; Other types -- Book II. Types in common with Book I ; Newer types -- Fugues. Definition ; The theoretical background ; Bach and the term fugue ; Rhetoric ; Expression and character ; Stile antico ; Types of invertible counterpoint ; Genera of counterpoint ; Verset fugues ; Partimenti ; The concerto principle -- All the tones and semitones. Circles and labyrinths ; Key integrity ; Ut re mi ; Solmisation and the heavenly harmony -- Bach as teacher. Bach's educational tradition ; Bach's teaching programme ; Keyboard technique ; Composition -- Part II: Commentaries. Book I -- Book II -- Appendix A. Examples 7.30, 8.9, 8.21 ; Appendix B. The problem of temperament. |
| Abstract | Bach's Well-tempered Clavier (or the 48 Preludes and Fugues) stands at the core of baroque keyboard music and has been a model and inspiration for performers and composers ever since it was written. This invaluable guide to the 96 pieces explains Bach's various purposes in compiling the music, describes the rich traditions on which he drew, and provides commentaries for each prelude and fugue. In his text, the author addresses the main focal points mentioned by Bach in his original 1722 title page. Drawing on Bach literature over the past three hundred years, he explores German traditions of composition types and Bach's novel expansion of them; explains Bach's instruments and innovations in keyboard technique in the general context of early eighteenth-century developments; reviews instructive and theoretical literature relating to keyboard temperaments from 1680 to 1750; and discusses Bach's pedagogical intent when composing the Well-tempered Clavier. The author's commentaries on individual preludes and fugues equip readers with the concepts necessary to make their own assessment and include information about the sources when details of notation, ornaments, and fingerings have a bearing on performance. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (pages 374-398) and index. |
| ISBN | 0300097077 |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music | Music Stacks | ML410.B13 L387 2002 | ✔ Available | Place Hold |