Wohltemperierte Klavier, Das

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Wohltemperierte Klavier, Das (The Well-tempered Klavier). Title given by Bach to his 24 Preludes and Fugues for kbd., Cöthen 1722, in all the major and minor keys, and also applied to 2nd set of 24 composed in Leipzig, 1744, the 2 sets often being known simply as ‘the 48’. Bach's object was to demonstrate the advantages of the then new equal temperament. Pubd. 1800–1.