The Well-Tempered Clavier, BWV 846–893, is a collection of two sets of preludes and fugues in all 24 major and minor keys, composed in 1722 for solo keyboard by German composer Johann Sebastian Bach (1865 - 1750). In Bach's time Clavier (keyboard) was a generic name indicating a variety of keyboard instruments, most typically a harpsichord or clavichord – but not excluding an organ. It is a fascinating tour de force, and stands out even in Bach's impressive oeuvre for keyboard. The collection is generally regarded as being among the most important works in the history of classical music. The complete work lasts typically four hours and 30 minutes. I have two versions of this work, one on piano, one on harpsichord, with a clear preference for the piano one by András Schiff on a Decca/London quadruple CD.
