I'd like to take the opportunity of clarifying (or confusing) this
centennial debate about WTC, as well as other Bach's keyboard works,
being played on piano or harpsichord.

Actually, the translation for "wohltemperirte Clavier" has been
"Well-Tempered Clavichord" until Kirkpatrick questioned one of the merit
of the English language with his book "Interpreting Bach's Well-Tempered
Clavier" (1984).  This was not the case with other languages, where
"clavecin" (French) and "clavicembalo" (Italian) incorrectly pointed
to the harpsichord from the beginning.

The confusion arises from the German term "Clavier" (keyboard) which
doesn't indicate any musical instrument in particular, and from the fact
that the clavichord survived only in Germany.  It is common belief however
(although the last word on this could have not been said yet) that both
J.S. Bach and his son C.P.E. used to refer to the organ as "orgel", to
the clavichord as "clavier" and to the harpsichord as "clavicimbel" or
"clavizymbel".  It is also common belief that only the "Italian Concerto",
the "Ouverture" BWV 831 and the "Goldberg Variations" were expressly
composed by Bach for the harpsichord.

Now, the clavichord falls midway between a harpsichord and a piano (well,
a bit closer to the piano).

a Merry Christmas to all
Roberto Strappafelci