Johann Sebastian Bach: Well-tempered Clavier, Book II
Johann Sebastian Bach
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Release Date: 07/11/2025
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, one of today’s most visionary pianists, presents the second book of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, a cornerstone of the piano repertoire. Following his acclaimed interpretation of Book I (released on Deutsche Grammophon in 2014), Aimard brings his signature clarity, insight, and depth to this second collection of 24 Preludes and Fugues, exploring Bach’s extraordinary harmonic and contrapuntal imagination. With a lifelong dedication to both early and contemporary music, Aimard approaches the Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II not merely as a historical masterpiece but as a vibrant and endlessly inventive work. His performance highlights Bach’s ability to blend expressive lyricism with intellectual rigor, creating a deeply engaging and illuminating listening experience. A renowned champion of twentieth-century music, Pierre-Laurent Aimard has released multiple acclaimed albums in his exclusive contract with PENTATONE, including Messiaen’s Catalogue d’Oiseaux (2018) and Visions de l’Amen (2022), along with Beethoven’s Hammerklavier Sonata & Eroica Variations (2021). He also joined Tamara Stefanovich in Etudes and Frames (2023), with music by Vassos Nicolaou, recorded Bartók’s Piano Concertos with the San Francisco Symphony and Esa-Pekka Salonen (2023), Schubert: Ländler (2024), and Kurtág: Játékok (2025).
Disc 1
1: Prelude No. 1 in C Major, BWV870
2: Fugue No. 1 in C Major, BWV870
3: Prelude No. 2 in C Minor, BWV871
4: Fugue No. 2 in C Minor, BWV871
5: Prelude No. 3 in C-sharp Major, BWV872
6: Fugue No. 3 in C-sharp Major, BWV872
7: Prelude No. 4 in C-sharp Minor, BWV873
8: Fugue No. 4 in C-sharp Minor, BWV873
9: Prelude No. 5 in D Major, BWV874
10: Fugue No. 5 in D Major, BWV874
11: Prelude No. 6 in D Minor, BWV875
12: Fugue No. 6 in D Minor, BWV875
13: Prelude No. 7 in E-flat Major, BWV876
14: Fugue No. 7 in E-flat Major, BWV876
15: Prelude No. 8 in D-sharp Minor, BWV877
16: Fugue No. 8 in D-sharp Minor, BWV877
17: Prelude No. 9 in E Major, BWV878
18: Fugue No. 9 in E Major, BWV878
19: Prelude No. 10 in E Minor, BWV879
20: Fugue No. 10 in E Minor, BWV879
21: Prelude No. 11 in F Major, BWV880
22: Fugue No. 11 in F Major, BWV880
23: Prelude No. 12 in F Minor, BWV881
24: Fugue No. 12 in F Minor, BWV881
Disc 2
1: Prelude No. 13 in F-sharp Major, BWV882
2: Fugue No. 13 in F-sharp Major, BWV882
3: Prelude No. 14 in F-sharp Minor, BWV883
4: Fugue No. 14 in F-sharp Minor, BWV883
5: Prelude No. 15 in G Major, BWV884
6: Fugue No. 15 in G Major, BWV884
7: Prelude No. 16 in G Minor, BWV885
8: Fugue No. 16 in G Minor, BWV885
9: Prelude No. 17 in A-flat Major, BWV886
10: Fugue No. 17 in A-flat Major, BWV886
11: Prelude No. 18 in G-sharp Minor, BWV887
12: Fugue No. 18 in G-sharp Minor, BWV887
13: Prelude No. 19 in a Major, BWV888
14: Fugue No. 19 in a Major, BWV888
15: Prelude No. 20 in a Minor, BWV889
16: Fugue No. 20 in a Minor, BWV889
17: Prelude No. 21 in B-flat Major, BWV890
18: Fugue No. 21 in B-flat Major, BWV890
19: Prelude No. 22 in B-flat Minor, BWV891
20: Fugue No. 22 in B-flat Minor, BWV891
21: Prelude No. 23 in B Major, BWV892
22: Fugue No. 23 in B Major, BWV892
23: Prelude No. 24 in B Minor, BWV893
24: Fugue No. 24 in B Minor, BWV893