Best Bach Well-Tempered Clavier Books for Piano Study
Whether you’re a student advancing through Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier or a teacher seeking reliable edition choices, these five books are prime options for American pianists. Each selection is geared toward serious study, performance preparation, or classroom teaching, with clear notation and scholarly editors. This guide highlights who each edition is best for and why it stands out. Use the comparison table below to quickly weigh format, page count, and scholarly approach before you decide.
| Product | Brand | Edition Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Bach – Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1 (Schirmer Classics Vol. 13) | G. Schirmer, Inc. | BWV 846-869, advanced piano study |
| The Well-Tempered Clavier: Books I and II, Complete (Dover) | Dover Publications | 48 preludes and fugues, Bach-Gesellschaft edition |
| J.S. Bach The Well-Tempered Clavier Complete Books 1 and 2 (Schirmer Library) | G. Schirmer, Inc. | 256 pages, Czerny editor, complete Claviers |
Top picks span from approachable early-intermediate editions to comprehensive volumes for advanced study. Readers should consider whether they want historical Urtext fidelity, teacher-friendly editor notes, or a broader collection spanning both books. The following sections break down each product’s strengths, target user, and practical notes to help you decide the best fit for your repertoire goals.
Bach – Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1 (Schirmer Classics Vol. 13)
This edition focuses on advanced piano study with 124 pages of material, making it a strong fit for late intermediate to advanced players who require reliable pagination and clear layout. Best for teachers seeking a single-volume resource to guide Bach repertoire instruction, plus robust preludes and fugues from BWV 846-869. A potential limitation is that it may include editorial markings that some performers prefer to interpret themselves, so pianists who want a strictly unedited Urtext should consider alternatives.
The Well-Tempered Clavier: Books I and II, Complete (Dover)
This edition bundles both books I and II, offering all 48 preludes and fugues in a single, affordable volume. Best for students and teachers seeking a comprehensive, easy-to-navigate resource with Bach-Gesellschaft edition notes. The compact format supports study sessions across both books, though some players may prefer a separate volume for each book to minimize page-turns during practice. It’s a practical choice for homes and classrooms.
J.S. Bach The Well-Tempered Clavier Complete Books 1 and 2 (Schirmer Library)
This Schirmer edition emphasizes a larger page count (256 pages) with an editor credited to Carl Czerny for study and performance framing. Best for advanced pianists and teachers who want a thorough, structured approach to both books with editorial guidance. The main caution is the potential mismatch between Czerny’s editorial perspectives and a performer’s preferred interpretive approach, so the edition suits readers who value editorial insights.
Glenn Gould Plays Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier (Sony Classical)
Although primarily a performance recording, this collection provides a perspective on interpretive marking and phrasing that informs practice choices. Best for learners seeking stylistic reference for tempo and articulation as interpreted by an influential artist. The limitation is that it’s not a score edition for study; use it as supplementary listening to shape phrasing decisions.
First Lessons in Bach: Complete Books I and II
This Schirmer publication targets late elementary to early intermediate players with 40 pages, focusing on approachable Bach pieces. Best for introducing students to baroque style and building confidence before tackling full Well-Tempered repertoire. The concise format keeps early learners engaged, but it does not replace more advanced study needed for BWV 846-869.
J.S. Bach The Well Tempered Clavier Part II (Henle Urtext)
This Urtext edition from Henle emphasizes faithful music notation and scholarly editorial notes, ideal for serious study and performance preparation. Best for students and teachers who want an authoritative Part II edition with clear fingering and articulation guidance. A potential limitation is that Urtext editions can present original markings that require careful interpretation by modern pianists.
Buying Guide
Key considerations when choosing a Well-Tempered Clavier edition include edition type, editing philosophy, and intended use. Below are practical questions to guide your selection.
What edition format fits my practice style?
If you prefer a single-volume, all-in-one resource, Dover’s complete Books I and II is convenient. For those seeking a detailed study with editorial context, Schirmer editions provide teachers’ notes and print clarity. Urtext editions from Henle suit performers who want fidelity to Bach’s original notation.
Should I prioritize early- or advanced-level editions?
Early-intermediate readers may benefit from First Lessons in Bach or Schirmer’s Book 1, which offer approachable pieces. Advanced players should consider the Czerny-edited Schirmer complete edition or Henle Urtext Parts II for rigorous study and authentic notation.
What about performance inspiration versus scholarly study?
Listening editions like Gould’s Bach recordings can inform phrasing and tempo decisions, but rely on dedicated score editions for study. Pair performance recordings with an edition that matches your learning goals to optimize technique and interpretation.
How important are editorial notes?
Editorial notes help with fingerings, phrasing, and historical context. Decide whether you want editor-driven guidance (Schirmer, Czerny) or a pure Urtext approach (Henle) to preserve Bach’s original markings with minimal alteration.
What best supports a classroom setting?
Look for editions with clear pagination, lesson-friendly layouts, and connective commentary for instructors. The Dover complete edition and certain Schirmer Library volumes are known to serve classroom environments well due to their structure and accessibility.
How to balance page count and portability?
Smaller-format books (like First Lessons in Bach) are easier to handle for young students or travel practice. Larger, more comprehensive volumes are better for in-depth study but less portable.
Short FAQ
- Which edition should a beginner start with for Well-Tempered Clavier?
- What is the advantage of an Urtext edition?
- Are there editions that cover both books I and II together?
- Which edition is best for teachers planning a Bach unit?
- Can listening to Bach performances help my practice?
- Is cost a concern when choosing an edition?
First Lessons in Bach offers approachable pieces for late elementary to early intermediate players, serving as a gentle introduction before tackling the full Well-Tempered repertoire.
Urtext editions aim to reproduce Bach’s original notation with minimal editorial changes, aiding authentic interpretation and scholarly study.
Yes, some publishers compile Books I and II in a single volume, which is convenient for integrated study and practice planning.
Schirmer Library and Dover provide teacher-friendly notes and comprehensive layouts, making them solid choices for structured lesson plans.
Listening can inform phrasing, tempo, and articulation. Use recordings as a reference while following a score edition for precise study steps.
Cost varies by edition type. Dover tends to be economical for complete works, while Henle Urtext offers fidelity at a higher price. Choose based on your fidelity needs and budget.
In summary, the best Bach Well-Tempered Clavier edition depends on your goals. For comprehensive study with practical classroom use, consider Dover’s complete Books I and II or Schirmer’s complete volumes. For scholarly fidelity and serious practice, Henle Urtext Part II is an excellent choice. For early-stage pianists, First Lessons in Bach provides accessible entry points, while performance-oriented listeners may benefit from listening editions to shape interpretation before formal study.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Well-Tempered Clavier?
- Which book should I study first?
- Are these editions suitable for teachers?
- Do all editions include fingering suggestions?
The Well-Tempered Clavier is Bach’s collection of preludes and fugues in all major and minor keys, divided into two books for keyboard study and performance.
Start with Book I to build foundational technique across key signatures, then progress to Book II for advanced study and expansion of repertoire.
Yes, the listed editions include teacher-friendly features such as editor notes, pagination, and structured layouts for classroom use.
Many editions include some fingering guidance, though the level varies by publisher. Urtext editions may minimize editorial fingering in favor of performer discretion.