Textual tradition of Well-Tempered Clavier, BGA?

[andrewt]

I've decided to start learning some things from the WTC, but I've been reading that Bach didn't really collect them in a whole book, and that we don't have very much in Bach's hand. Does anyone know what sources Franz Kroll used when editing the BGA? Is it generally considered reliable?

[vinteuil]

Yes, it's a decent edition. He probably used the two autographs (one for each book).

[worov]

Bach's manuscript of Book II is not available. It's supposed to be lost.

Here's his autograph of Book I :

http://www.bach-digital.de/receive/Bach ... e_00001361

[andrewt]

Thanks worov, I didn't know the Book 1 autograph existed!

[pml]

Most definitely it does, as there’s a huge scholarly debate over whether the Schnörkel (an intricate line drawing) inscribed by Bach on the title page directly over the title is actually a schematic diagram for his own system of good temperament (hence “wohltempierte”). Regards, PML

[worov]

Thanks worov, I didn't know the Book 1 autograph existed!

You are welcome.

However, I'm still looking for a way to save these images on my computer. If you know something, tell me. I'd be very interested.