Bach WTC1 vs WTC2

[iamdopeuarenope]

Hi, I've been thinking about purchasing one of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier books, but since they're quite expensive (Henle), I wouldn't be able to play all of them anyway. I wanted to ask which one is more worthwhile. I know the WTC2 is generally harder, but that's fine.

[brogers70]

I think the only way for you to decide is just to sit down and listen to both WTCI and WTCII from beginning to end and pick the one with the most P&F combinations you want to learn. There are great pieces in both sets. The other question is whether you really have to limit yourself to one or the other volume. There are many editions available on IMSLP, so if you like some in volume 1 and some in volume 2 it's easy enough to get the ones you want.

[lelle]

I am partial to book 1. I think it has more varied technical challenges and overall better / more interesting pieces in it. It definitely has the most of the famous ones! I would go with Book 1 if I had to pick.

[iamdopeuarenope]

I think the only way for you to decide is just to sit down and listen to both WTCI and WTCII from beginning to end and pick the one with the most P&F combinations you want to learn. There are great pieces in both sets. The other question is whether you really have to limit yourself to one or the other volume. There are many editions available on IMSLP, so if you like some in volume 1 and some in volume 2 it's easy enough to get the ones you want.

I just want to be able to get 1 very nice volume to slowly play through. I'll probably go with Vol. 1 because I'm not very well-versed on Bach and it will probably be more beneficial to me to start there.

I am partial to book 1. I think it has more varied technical challenges and overall better / more interesting pieces in it. It definitely has the most of the famous ones! I would go with Book 1 if I had to pick.

Yep, I've decided to go with that one since it'll be more beneficial to me and you're right, the famous one are definitely all in there oddly enough.

[pianistavt]

Yep, I've decided to go with that one since it'll be more beneficial to me and you're right, the famous one are definitely all in there oddly enough.

I faced the same decision many years ago - - I chose book 2 because I was more familiar with the ones from book 1, it was more of a mystery.  In hindsight, I would say Bach is in a more extroverted and expository mood in book 1.  The P/F's in book 2 are more complex, subtle - - basically more mature.  I still find them more interesting than book 1, but I play from both now.

[alcyone]

It's said that Book 1 was primarily written for educational purposes, for his students. I've just started on Book 2 and found it more complex as pianistavt says.