Describes how Johann Sebastian Bach survived the sorrows of his childhood and composed the music the world has come to love.

A fantastic little book about Bach and the musical climate before and during his life, with a look at his continuing influence in music. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Publisher Description

All 48 preludes and fugues in all major and minor keys. Authoritative Bach-Gesellschaft edition. Explanation of ornaments in English, tempo indications, music corrections.

This edition of Volume I of Bach's highly influential keyboard work features Sir Donald Francis Tovey's classic analyses of 24 preludes and 24 fugues, including suggestions for performance. A scholarly reference by a world-famous musicologist and Bach expert, this legendary, long-out-of-print version also contains Harold Samuel's fingerings for all pieces.

Volume 1 of 2-volume set. This stimulating narrative traces Bach's life; discusses contemporary artistic and philosophical movements; assesses the work of his predecessors Schutz, Scheidt, Buxtehude, etc., analyzes Bach's own work; and passes on brilliant recommendations for performance — tempo, phrasing, accentuation, dynamics, etc. Translated by Ernest Newman.