Hi there, I wonder if anyone can shed any light on this subject? It is commonly believed that J S Bach wrote the 48 Preludes and Fugues for Clavichord/Harsichord but my piano teacher insists that they were in fact written for any instrument, or even for no instruments! I am keen to research this subject and wondered if people could give their thoughts on this idea.

Thank you!

Sorry folks, I'm running this thread also on Viva Piano. can't work out how to delete it on here!

The musicologist H C Colles is quite clear on the subject. He maintains that at the time they were written (the first 24 being created at Koethen, and the latter 24 at Leipzig) Bach was favouring keyboard music. His larger pieces such as the Italian concerto were designed for the harpsichord, while the 48 Preludes and Fugues "were intended for the clavichord".