The 2-part Inventions appear in a collection called 'Aufrichtige Anleitung' with the added text: "...wherein the lovers of the clavier and especially those desirous of learning, are shown a clear way not only 1) to learn to play clearly in 2 voices, but also, after further progress, 2) to deal correctly and well with three obligato parts...to arrive at a singing style in playing...to acquire a strong sense of composing. 1723". Both the 2 and 3-part inventions-sinfonias are very concise and terse works, usually lasting about 75 seconds apiece. As short as they are, they demonstrate utterly what a great composer Bach was, in not only their compactness but the amount of compositional information that is present in each bar.

Bach's most famous harpsichord work is the concerto in the Italian manner appearing in print in 1735, in part II of 'Clavierubung.' The work is in three movements, with really every moment inspired by the gods of music. The concerto reflects the 'Italian' concerto style: tuttis interspersed with differing solo selections. The lyrical slow movement is Vivaldi influenced, the last taxes any harpsichordist's technique.

The Toccatas are earlier works influenced by Pachelbel and Froberger. They are filled with small sections of differing moods and virtuosity. The one in D Major has a brilliant and rollicking gigue fugue as a finale. The one in C Minor is a long and demanding fugue in two large sections as its finale. I would think Bach was in his early to mid 20s when he wrote them. -- Anthony Newman