The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2 (Prelude and fugue No 1 in C major, BWV 870)

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Book 1 was written in 1722 when Bach was a young keyboardist in the German provinces. Book 2 was compiled - in 1742 - while Bach lived in Leipzig, having in the intervening two decades become Germany's greatest composer. These 24 pieces show Bach's compositional gifts for melody and both complexity and simplicity. The richness of this music allows it to be listened to again and again. Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach Performer: Cedric Tiberghien (Piano) Date of broadcast: 16 October 2012