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Harpsichord Works
During the times of Bach the term "Klavier" referred to the key instrument having nothing in common with organs - for example harpsichord, clavichord or a prototype of hammer piano - Cristofori' s piano. Bach's works connected with key instruments constitute the compendium of the music contemporary to him. It was the keyboard, as something that can be embraced by fingers, that was the basis of the world of musical compositions and the way of music creation. The most important compositions are: Das Wohltemperierte Klavier, Goldberg's Variations, English and French suites, Partitas and Concerts and finally Kunst der Fuge (The Art of Fugue) that is believed to have been composed for harpsichord as the first of performance means. Although most of Bach's harpsichord compositions was written for didactic purposes its artistic value for the contemporary audience and performer cannot be questioned or diminished by anything.
Bach used to compose music for those who wanted to execute it, but also for those who wanted to compose it. The two volume collection of compositions Das Wohltemperierte Klavier occupies the foremost position among his works. It was once said that if only those compositions had preserved and the rest had disappeared, then only on the basis of this collection Bach could be regarded as one of the greatest composers. Bach was a great virtuoso of the keyboard and the abundance of grace-notes and daring shows of his abilities and instrument's capacities in his compositions make him one of the precursors of piano music. The works of his successors - Mozart, Beethoven and finally Chopin with his Etudes and Preludes serve as a proof for that.
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Bach is the beginning and end of all music.
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Max Reger
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