Description
J.S. Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Books I & II – Walter Gieseking (Newton Classics 8802014, 3CD Set)
- UPC: 8718247710140
- MPN (Manufacturer Part Number): 8802014
- Brand Name: Newton Classics
- Product Type: 3 Audio CD Set
- Genre: Classical / Baroque Keyboard
- Style: Solo Piano
- Recording Type: ADD Mono (Digitally Remastered)
- Total Duration: 210′38″
Overview
This Newton Classics 3CD collection presents Johann Sebastian Bach’s (1685–1750) monumental Das Wohltemperierte Klavier (The Well-Tempered Clavier) Books I & II, performed by the legendary pianist Walter Gieseking.
Recorded in the early 1950s for Deutsche Grammophon, these performances stand among the 20th century’s most significant interpretations of Bach’s keyboard masterpieces. Gieseking’s refined technique, tonal transparency, and architectural clarity reveal the spiritual and intellectual brilliance of each Prelude and Fugue pair.
This set, digitally remastered from the original Saar Radio broadcasts, offers the complete 48 Preludes and Fugues — a cornerstone of Western classical music — in a reading that blends poetic lyricism with crystalline counterpoint. Gieseking’s approach transcends the instrument, turning the piano into a vehicle for Bach’s eternal dialogue between faith, intellect, and sound.
Product Features
- Format: 3 Audio CDs
- Recording Type: ADD Mono (Digitally Remastered)
- Recording Dates: March–April 1950s
- Recording Location: Saar Radio, Germany
- Label: Newton Classics BV (licensed from Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Hamburg)
- Country of Manufacture: Netherlands
- Total Playing Time: 210′38″
- Performer: Walter Gieseking (piano)
Interesting Facts
- A Monument of Keyboard Literature: Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier explores every major and minor key, demonstrating the expressive and structural possibilities of the new “well-tempered” tuning system.
- Gieseking’s Legacy: Known primarily for Debussy and Ravel, Gieseking also brought his coloristic sensitivity and crystalline articulation to Bach, illuminating the contrapuntal architecture with rare finesse.
- Historical Importance: These Saar Radio recordings capture one of the earliest complete modern renditions of both books of Das Wohltemperierte Klavier on piano, preserving Gieseking’s elegant and introspective Bach style.
- Remastered for the Modern Ear: Newton Classics’ 2010 digital restoration revives the warmth and immediacy of Gieseking’s original mono tapes, maintaining the authentic sound of mid-century German broadcast acoustics.
- Timeless Pedagogy: For pianists and Bach enthusiasts alike, this cycle remains a touchstone of disciplined artistry, interpretive clarity, and devotional focus.
Track Listing Overview
CD 1 – 72′20″
Book I: Preludes and Fugues Nos. 1–20
CD 2 – 63′13″
Book I: Preludes and Fugues Nos. 21–24 Book II: Preludes and Fugues Nos. 1–10
CD 3 – 74′55″
Book II: Preludes and Fugues Nos. 11–24
Total Duration: 210′38″
Publishers
Originally recorded by Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Hamburg (1950s). Digitally remastered and reissued by Newton Classics BV (2010). Manufactured and printed in the Netherlands.
All rights of the producer and of the owner of the work reproduced reserved. Unauthorized copying, hiring, lending, public performance, and broadcasting prohibited.
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