Johann Sebastian Bach: Complete Preludes and Fugues for Organ (Dover Music for Organ) Paperback – March 1, 1985

Arrived in good shape.

I'm glad Dover now makes books with the "lay flat sewn-binding", a huge improvement over their previous editions with so-called perfect binding that would start falling apart the moment you open it. They now open flat without that rigorous spine-flattening ritual that you'd have to do on other paperback books. The music is a direct reproduction of the Bach-Gesellschaft edition, which means that there are absolutely no editorial modifications or additions, for better or worse. Just notes on a page and not a single dynamic, expression, or phrase marker throughout the entire book (which depending on your needs is fantastic or lacking). They could've paginated it better, not editing the music directly but for example there are multiple 4-page pieces spread over two page turns. Also I like it when there are piece titles at the bottom or near the page number, to guide when flipping through the book, or to see at a glance on a random page which piece you're looking at; they don't have them here but it's a small volume so it's not too bad.As a beginning organist, this is one of the formative volumes of my budding library, and I'm very happy with the purchase. A solid, comprehensive book that gives exactly what it says.

Written for manuals and pedals. See my photo for table of contents.

Just what I expected!

great

Another steal! Beautifully reproduced at an attractive size (I could have liked it slightly larger) and lightish weight from the Bach-Gesellschaft authoritative edition that still hasn't been dethroned by the Neue-Bach-Ausgabe.Of course, those who insist on the "St.Anne" E-flat pair or the E-major (BWV566) Toccata will need to turn to the other two volumes published by Dover. [Personally I wouldn't have minded all three volumes published in one larger-sized book; however, those who don't wish to carry more weight around than necessary can then be happy with the 'status quo'.]Very warmly recommended - what lovely music here present like the great A-minor, B-minor, E-minor and 3 C-major pairs!!!

People below complained that BWV 552 "St Anne" does not appear in this book. BWV 552 is part of Clavier Uebung III, which includes more than a dozen other pieces (mostly chorale preludes). According to Clifford Bartlett, in actual practice, the prelude was played separately from the fugue; the rest of Clavier Uebung III was sandwiched between the prelude and fugue. Furthermore, often only pieces of the Clavier Uebung were played, rather than the whole thing. Hence, one might argue that BWV 552 stands in contrast to other pieces clearly marked "Prelude and Fugue."

The Complete Preludes and Fugues for Organ includes the following prelude & fugues:BWV 531, 532, 533, 534, 535, 536, 539, 541, 543, 544, 545, 546, 547, 548, 549, 550, 551, and the following "possible spurious" ones: 553, 554, 555, 556, 557, 558, 559, 560.(I double-checked my BWV numbers for typos).BWV 552 "St. Anne" in published by Dover in Organ Music (ISBN 0-486-22359-0), and 566, the Toccata and Fugue in E Major is published by Dover in Toccatas, Fantasias, Passacaglia and Other Works for Organ (0-486-25403-8).The book is a paperback with sewn signatures, so it won't lie flat, but it won't fall apart if you smoosh it flat;-)The included works are from the Bach-Gesellschaft of 1865, ed. by W. Rust, and the Bach-Gesellschaft of 1888, edited by E. Naumann.