The well-tempered clavier – the great achievement
Fine Music Magazine
Is it possible to write a brief article about Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1, a seminal collection of 24 preludes and fugues in every major and minor key, for the 300th anniversary of its completion in 1722? It's like being asked to mention the greatness of Shakespeare or of Van Gogh – the achievement is too great, too multi-faceted and so full of the summit of human genius that it defies adequate description. Surely the very attempt must involve a narrowing of focus, thus diminishing the complexity, richness, and subtlety of the whole? However, if these few words of mine pique the curiosity of even one reader enough to explore these works, that will be enough!