



Bach, Johann Sebastian (1685-1750)
48 Prélude et Fugues, Dans tous les Tons, tant Majeurs, que Mineurs, Pour le Clavecin ou Piano Forté. [Volumes I & II].
Simrock: Bonn, 1801-1802. Pl.n: 166; 138. first edition. Engraved. Oblong quarto. 83 pp. + 97 pp. Contemporary marbled paper wrappers with calf spines. Binding rather worn. Very clean volumes in excellent condition. Some (apparently early) penciled fingerings throughout.This is arguably Bach's best-loved keyboard work, known in English usually as the Well-Tempered Clavier. Editions were published in Vienna & Leipzig (Hoffmeister) and in Zurich (Nägeli) almost simultaneously, although Simrock's edition is generally reckoned to have appeared first. Simrock published Book 2 (BWV 870-893) in 1801 and Book 1 (BWV 846-869) the following year. The two competing Leipzig and Zurich editions may possibly have come out in the meantime. Plate numbers were not engraved on the titles, nor on pages 14 & 60 of Book 1 or page 7 of Book 2. Hoboken 94 and 97.
1. 48 Préludes et Fugues dans tous les tons, tant Majeurs, que Mineurs. Pour le Clavecin ou Piano Forté…No. [2] [= Book I], [1802]. (Hoboken, 94).
MUS-15128$8,5002. Preludes et Fugues pour le Forte-Piano dans tous les tons, tant majeurs que mineurs…I. Partie [= Book II], [1801]. (Hoboken, 97).
