Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier I

Few works in all of music are as revered as Johann Sebastian Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier. Book 1 is a landmark collection of 24 preludes and fugues, one in each of the 12 major and 12 minor keys. Composed in 1722, these pieces have inspired generations of composers and pianists, from Mozart and Beethoven to Chopin and beyond. They range from the famously serene C major Prelude that opens the cycle to the profound, chromatic B minor fugue that crowns it. It's music of endless variety, full of joy, sorrow, dance-like energy and quiet reflection, and every listen reveals something new.

This much-anticipated recording marks Minsoo Sohn's debut on Hyperion Records and the first in a planned series of the great pillars of the piano repertoire. Sohn's Bach is the culmination of a personal and artistic journey reaching back decades to his studies with the legendary teacher Russell Sherman. The result is an interpretation of rare depth and joy. It was recorded in April 2026 in the magical setting of Schloss Elmau in the Bavarian Alps and produced by Hans Kipfer. Spread across two CDs with over two hours of music, it's an essential addition for classical collectors, piano lovers and anyone looking for a fresh, heartfelt take on one of music's greatest masterpieces.