Versuch über die wahre Art das Clavier zu spielen mit Exempeln und achtzehn Probe-Stücken in sechs Sonaten erläutert. Erster Theil. Zweyte Auflage. Bound with Zweyter Theil.
Berlin: George Ludewig Winter, 1759, 1762.
2 parts bound in one. Small quarto. Modern mid-brown cloth-backed marbled boards, titling gilt to spine.
Part I
Erster Theil. 1f. (recto title, verso blank), 3ff. ("Vorrede"), 118 pp.
Part II
Zweyter Theil, in welchem die Lehre von den Accompagnement und der freyen Fantasie abgehandelt wird. Nebst einer Kupfertafel. 1f. (recto title, verso note to the binder), 3ff. ("Vorrede"), 1f. (contents), 341, [i] (errata), 1f. (recto engraved music, verso blank). With numerous musical examples.
Fine woodcut headpiece to introduction to both parts and decorative woodcut head- and tailpieces and initials throughout.
Binding worn, rubbed, bumped, and abraded. Moderately browned; some foxing and minor stains including small ink stain to lower outer corner of pp. 39/40 of Part I and to lower portion of third leaf of foreword of Part II; two leaves partially detached; title to Part I slightly tight to gutter, not affecting text. Without the Probe-Stücken volume, often found lacking.
Second edition of Part I, first edition of Part II. Gregory-Bartlett p. 20. Cortot p. 10 (Part II). Not in Wolffheim. Hirsch I 42 (Part II). RISM BVI pp. 105 (Part I), and 106 (Part II).
C.P.E. Bach's Versuch is considered to be one of the most important musical treatises of the 18th century. "It is a standard guide to 18th-century keyboard fingering, ornamentation, aesthetic outlook, continuo playing and improvisation. It led the way towards the acceptance of the modern standards of keyboard fingering (especially the use of the thumb) that had been inaugurated by his father and was to form a basis of 19-century keyboard virtuosity. It stated the rules of embellishment in a clear and authoritative way at a time when scores of other treatises were compounding the confusion. ... While requiring technical mastery of the performer in no uncertain terms, Emanuel warned against empty virtuosity." TNG Vol. 1 p. 854.
Item #39267
Price: $2,800.00 other currencies