The four-volume work consists of various elements. A general
Introduction covers topics like the origins of the WTC, the
"well-tempered" scale, the clavier at Bach's time, the history of the
prelude, and the background of fugue composition. This is followed by
a catalogue of very specific Questions Regarding a Prelude and Questions Regarding a Fugue, which the reader is urged to
answer for himself with regard to a particular prelude or fugue. The
scope of the questions, their possible implications, and the terms
used are then explianed step by step in a section entitled Additional
Information.
The main body of each of the four volumes, under the heading
Models Answers, contains in-depth investigations into the structure
and material of each of 48 preludes and fugues along with remarks on
performance practice and an exploration of the pertinent performance
decision a pianist in our time faces. These individual chapters,
dedicated to one prelude+fugue each, are illustrated with music
excerpts, diagrams, and graphic illustrations.
