Johann Sebastian Bach's Most Famous Piano Works¶

Notable Piano Compositions¶

The Well-Tempered Clavier (BWV 846-893)¶

Two sets of preludes and fugues in all 24 major and minor keys
Considered one of the most influential works in classical music history
Notable pieces include:
Prelude in C Major (BWV 846)
Prelude in C Minor (BWV 847)
Prelude in D Minor (BWV 851)

Goldberg Variations (BWV 988)¶

An aria with 30 variations
Originally written for harpsichord
One of the most important examples of variation form

Italian Concerto (BWV 971)¶

Three-movement work in F major
Perfect example of Bach's adaptation of Italian style
Brilliant and virtuosic solo work

Six Partitas (BWV 825-830)¶

Collection of suite movements
Each partita contains dance movements
Considered the pinnacle of Bach's keyboard suites

Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue (BWV 903)¶

Dramatic and technically demanding
Famous for its improvisatory style
One of Bach's most popular keyboard works

French Suites (BWV 812-817)¶

Six suites featuring dance movements
More intimate and lighter than the Partitas
Popular among piano students and performers

English Suites (BWV 806-811)¶

Six large-scale suites
Each begins with a substantial prelude
Complex and technically challenging

Toccatas (BWV 910-916)¶

Seven keyboard works
Dramatic and virtuosic in nature
Showcase Bach's mastery of improvisation style

Historical Impact¶

These works revolutionized keyboard music and continue to be essential repertoire for pianists worldwide. While many were originally written for harpsichord, they are now standard pieces in the modern piano repertoire.