Bach composed the 48 preludes and fugues for solo keyboard that make up the two books of The Well-Tempered Clavier (24 in 1722 and another 24 in 1742, each set covering all the major and minor keys) for, as he put it, “the profit and use of musical youth desirous of learning, and especially for the pastime of those already skilled in this study.” They satisfy both his intended groups of performers with consummate mastery.

Program note by Don Anderson.