Bach The Well Tempered Clavier, Book I. Sir András Schiff, 2017

This transcendent work (here is Book I: the whole work with Book II comprises BWV 846 893) is sometimes referred to by pianists as the Old Testament of Western classical music (Beethoven marking the beginning of the New Testament ). Here, Sir András Schiff performs the first part of Bach s magnum opus at the Royal Albert Hall, London, as part of the BBC Proms 2017. Such is Sir András intimate knowledge of this piece, here he plays it all from memory. He is one of the most renowned interpreters of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Schumann. The WellTempered Clavier is a work which is generally regarded as being among the most important works in the history of Western classical music. It is popularly referred to as the 48 (preludes and fugues). For me, this is a work which says it all. It s in my head most of the time, and I shall never tire of its stupendous beauty and musical invention. It is a GIANT of a work in all of music.