J.S. Bach - Well Tempered Klavier 2 - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Aaron Pilsan completes his recording of the Well-Tempered Clavier, five years after the first volume was praised by critics for it's ardent, accurate and fluid interpretation. Twenty years lie between the two volumes; whilst the first is better known, 'the second book is more playful, but also more accomplished. It goes further harmonically and also demonstrates extraordinary harmonic invention with original and often exotic harmonies. The best example of what differentiates the two books is the fugue in D sharp minor in the second book, a piece whose boldness and harmonic originality never ceases to enthral and astonish me,' says the Austrian pianist, who again demonstrates his fascination for the composer 'What I love most about Bach's music is that he expresses everything that goes to make up our lives, but in perfect order.' Album Tracks 7. Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II~Prelude IV in C-sharp minor, BWV 873 8. Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II~Fugue IV in C-sharp minor, BWV 873 9. Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II~Prelude XVII in A-flat major, BWV 886

Album Tracks 1. Präludium & Fuge I, BWV846 2. Präludium & Fuge II, BWV847 3. Präludium & Fuge III, BWV848 4. Präludium & Fuge IV, BWV849 5. Präludium & Fuge V, BWV850 6. Präludium & Fuge VI, BWV851 7. Präludium & Fuge VII, BWV852 8. Präludium & Fuge VIII, BWV853 9. Präludium & Fuge IX, BWV854 10. Präludium & Fuge X, BWV855 11. Präludium & Fuge XI, BWV856 12. Präludium & Fuge XII, BWV857 1. Präludium & Fuge XIII, BWV858 2. Präludium & Fuge XIV, BWV859 3. Präludium & Fuge XV, BWV860 4. Präludium & Fuge XVI, BWV861 5. Präludium & Fuge XVII, BWV862 6. Präludium & Fuge XVIII, BWV863 7. Präludium & Fuge XIX, BWV864 8. Präludium & Fuge XX, BWV865 9. Präludium & Fuge XXI, BWV866 10. Präludium & Fuge XXII, BWV867 11. Präludium & Fuge XXIII, BWV868 12. Präludium & Fuge XXIV, BWV869

Two years after releasing her album dedicated to Book I of J.S. Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier, Céline Frisch now presents the second volume of this musical landmark. Bach compiled Book II in 1744, twenty-two years after Book I. It took until 1801 for both volumes to be printed from then until the present day they have inspired countless composers. After a series of recordings with the Ensemble Zimmermann she helped to found, Céline Frisch returns to the harpsichord recital, for a programme of this, her very favourite music. Through these preludes and fugues, she reminds us that far from being technical exercises, the Well- Tempered Clavier is a work of pure pleasure and constant renewed discovery. As Robert Schumann declared 'You should frequently play the fugues of the great masters, particularly those of J.S. Bach. Make the Well-Tempered Clavier your daily bread.' Album Tracks 1. The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II 2. Preludes and Fugues, BWV 870-893