Department of Music will present a piano recital featuring two major works by Johann Sebastian Bach at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, in Kemp Recital Hall.
Admission is free.
Bach s first set of 24 preludes and fugue, written in 1722, was written to help young students learn the keyboard and for more skilled pianists to enjoy. One prelude and one fugue is written in each of the 12 major and minor keys, demonstrating the value of tuning keyboard instruments so that all semitones are equal, or in equal temperament. On a keyboard tuned in the older system, a melody played in one key could not necessarily be played in another key. It will be followed by Bach s Goldberg Variations, or Aria mit 30 Ver nderungen. Written in 1742, the work was described by Bach as an aria with different variations for harpsichord with two manuals, designed for the refreshment of music lovers.