- Artist:
- Minsoo Sohn
Das Wohltemperierte Klavier I
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Release date: 2 October 2026
Hyperion welcomes Korean American pianist Minsoo Sohn with the first in a new series devoted to landmarks of the piano repertoire: Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I.
The album is a deeply personal tribute to Sohn’s teacher, the legendary American pianist Russell Sherman, who regarded the work as one of the highest expressions of the human spirit. After Sherman’s death, his wife entrusted Sohn with his annotated scores; Sherman’s markings became the starting point for this recording.
The project also reflects Sohn’s own journey through injury and renewal. A serious wrist injury more than twenty years ago forced him to leave the concert stage and rebuild his technique from the ground up, transforming both his relationship with the piano and his musical understanding.
“Bach’s music encourages us to slow down, listen more carefully and reconnect with something deeper,” says Sohn. “It reminds us of reflection, humanity and balance.”
Winner of the 2006 Honens International Piano Competition, Sohn is acclaimed for his Bach and Beethoven interpretations. His recording of the Goldberg Variations was named one of The New York Times’ Best Classical Recordings of 2011. He has also mentored leading young pianists, including Yunchan Lim.
Recorded at Schloss Elmau in the Bavarian Alps and produced by Hans Kipfer, this release coincides with Sohn’s international tour featuring Bach’s WTC Book I.
Tracklisting:
CD 1 Bach: The well-tempered Clavier Book 1, BWV846-869
1. No 01 in C major, BWV846. Movement 1: Prelude
2. No 01 in C major, BWV846. Movement 2: Fugue
3. No 02 in C minor, BWV847. Movement 1: Prelude
4. No 02 in C minor, BWV847. Movement 2: Fugue
5. No 03 in C sharp major, BWV848. Movement 1: Prelude
6. No 03 in C sharp major, BWV848. Movement 2: Fugue
7. No 04 in C sharp minor, BWV849. Movement 1: Prelude
8. No 04 in C sharp minor, BWV849. Movement 2: Fugue
9. No 05 in D major, BWV850. Movement 1: Prelude
10. No 05 in D major, BWV850. Movement 2: Fugue
11. No 06 in D minor, BWV851. Movement 1: Prelude
12. No 06 in D minor, BWV851. Movement 2: Fugue
13. No 07 in E flat major, BWV852. Movement 1: Prelude
14. No 07 in E flat major, BWV852. Movement 2: Fugue
15. No 08 in E flat minor, BWV853. Movement 1: Prelude
16. No 08 in E flat minor, BWV853. Movement 2: Fugue
17. No 09 in E major, BWV854. Movement 1: Prelude
18. No 09 in E major, BWV854. Movement 2: Fugue
19. No 10 in E minor, BWV855. Movement 1: Prelude
20. No 10 in E minor, BWV855. Movement 2: Fugue
21. No 11 in F major, BWV856. Movement 1: Prelude
22. No 11 in F major, BWV856. Movement 2: Fugue
23. No 12 in F minor, BWV857. Movement 1: Prelude
24. No 12 in F minor, BWV857. Movement 2: Fugue
CD 2
1. 13 in F sharp major, BWV858. Movement 1: Prelude
2. No 13 in F sharp major, BWV858. Movement 2: Fugue
3. No 14 in F sharp minor, BWV859. Movement 1: Prelude
4. 14 in F sharp minor, BWV859. Movement 2: Fugue
5. No 15 in G major, BWV860. Movement 1: Prelude
6. No 15 in G major, BWV860. Movement 2: Fugue
7. No 16 in G minor, BWV861. Movement 1: Prelude
8. No 16 in G minor, BWV861. Movement 2: Fugue
9. No 17 in A flat major, BWV862. Movement 1: Prelude
10. No 17 in A flat major, BWV862. Movement 2: Fugue
11. No 18 in G sharp minor, BWV863. Movement 1: Prelude
12. No 18 in G sharp minor, BWV863. Movement 2: Fugue
13. No 19 in A major, BWV864. Movement 1: Prelude
14. No 19 in A major, BWV864. Movement 2: Fugue
15. No 20 in A minor, BWV865. Movement 1: Prelude
16. No 20 in A minor, BWV865. Movement 2: Fugue
17. No 21 in B flat major, BWV866. Movement 1: Prelude
18. No 21 in B flat major, BWV866. Movement 2: Fugue
19. No 22 in B flat minor, BWV867. Movement 1: Prelude
20. No 22 in B flat minor, BWV867. Movement 2: Fugue
21. No 23 in B major, BWV868. Movement 1: Prelude
22. No 23 in B major, BWV868. Movement 2: Fugue
23. No 24 in B minor, BWV869. Movement 1: Prelude
No 24 in B minor, BWV869. Movement 2: Fugue