Little preludes from “Clavier-Büchlein vor Wilhelm Friedemann Bach”

Little preludes from “Clavier-Büchlein vor Wilhelm Friedemann Bach”
[Little preludes from the “Little Clavier Book for Wilhelm Friedemann Bach”]

This book of handwritten pieces, begun in 1720 in Cöthen is one of the most important legacies of Bach’s work, many of which have then been revised and refined by J.S. Bach for inclusion with other works, testifying to the importance the composer attached to these compositions right from their very first draft.

The technical and musical level of these compositions varies, but there are no very easy pieces in this work, unlike some which can be found in the “Notenbüchlein für Anna Magdalena Bach” [Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach].

However, not all the pieces were composed by Johann Sebastian, though common sense dictates that he no doubt supervised all of the original compositions found here.

To see the original manuscript:

Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

"Clavier-Büchlein vor Wilhelm Friedemann Bach"

                                                                                                          Tullio Forlenza