Beloved by pianists, piano teachers, composers, and theory instructors, the Bach Inventions hold a special place in many of our hearts. Why are they called "Inventions" when nothing else is? Why did he include an ornamentation performance guide for them in the "Klavierbüchlein" where he wrote them, when he never did this for anything else in his life? 

We take a look at one inventive and energetic moment from Invention no. 12 in A major from the Netherlands Bach Society's series of Inventions performed and recorded by young musicians. 

Invention in A Major performed by harpsichordist Peiting Xue

All 15 inventions BWV 772-786: Netherlands Bach Society young performers

Companion video: Siebe Henstra on Bach 15 inventions