Well-Tempered Clavier, Books 1 and 2 Main Performer or Conductor: Friedrich Gulda Instrumentation: Piano Individual Works: Book 1: 24 Preludes and Fugues, BWV 846 - 869 Book 2: 24 Preludes and Fugues, BWV 870 - 893 Format: Compact Disc Record Label: Philips Catalog Number: 446 545-2 & 446 548-2 Year Released/Recorded: 1972 1973 Total Playing Time: Two sets of two CDs. Bk I, 2.04' 12". Bk II, 2.32' 13" Comments: Bob Gonzalez said: I found Gulda's hand precise and full of feeling, neither too "mechanical" nor too romantic. This is the natural compliment to his recording of Book I. It gives a sense of Bach's entire design at composition. A 2-CD set for the price of one. Great listening fare for those who seek composition instrruction. The sequence is prelude then fugue through 24 different keys. Ehud Shiloni said: An acceptable second choice after Gould. I personally listen to gould at home and to gulda at the office ( when staying late ). Hieu Tran said: Very fine piano interpretations. This set is probably one of the better renderings of both books out there. Gulda manages to use dynamics to emphasize the mood and spirit of each piece, yet, he doesn't lose the harpsichord feeling within each piece. Acknowledgements: Thank you to the following for submitting this recording and for your comments: Bob Gonzalez Ehud Shiloni Hieu Tran Date First Submitted: 01/03/1998 Purchasing: Suggested Purchasing Sources Note: Inclusion in this database does not guarantee the availability of any recording. Some recordings may be out-of-print or no longer available.

---

About This Site Biography, Portraits and Literature Works by BWV Number Works by Category Works by Instrument & Title Works by Key Works by Title Works by Year The Cantatas Project Recordings by Title Recordings by Conductor or Main Performer Recordings by Instrument Recordings by BWV Number Recordings by Record Label Recordings Submitted Recently Web Sites with Bach Information Web Sites with Bach MIDI Files Featured Recordings Suggested Purchasing Sources