Bach, Johann Sebastian: Preludes and Fugues, The 48. BWV 846-893. Book 2: Nos. 25-48

Edited by Carl Czerny

Czerny’s edition is unashamedly an ‘arbitrary expression of editorial taste’ scorned by Donald Tovey in his English edition of 1924. Those who wish to play what Bach actually wrote can still refer to the editions by Kroll, Bischoff, volume 14 of the Bach-Gesellschaft and many ‘new’ discoveries in musicological journals. Tovey’s own edition is widely available, with its detailed analyses and suggestions for performance.

The purpose of this Revised Augener edition is to keep in print the evidence of ‘traditional Bach-playing in the nineteenth century which still has relevance to Bach—playing on modern pianos. All pianists must interpret notes for themselves, never more so than in the ’48’, on an instrument whose sounds were unknown to the composer. Czerny’s-or Beethoven’s grand manner is as controversial as the latest performance ‘cycle’ by the grand masters of today.