The two-part Inventions and three-part Sinfonias of Bach (BWV 787-801) have been preserved in a clean autograph copy dating from 1723. The Inventions are of particularly moderate difficulty and hold a significant place in piano teaching to this day. As a whole, the 15 pieces can be considered precursors to the Wohltemperiertes Klavier.

Following the usual practice, they were initially distributed in the form of handwritten copies, with regular reference to the autograph. The present Urtext edition is also based on Bach's autograph and has been compared with the NBA. In some pieces, the composer added additional ornaments at a later stage, but did not make any other significant changes.

The new edition of the collection, therefore, represents an authentic musical text, without modifications or additions derived from contemporary secondary sources. The Editorial Note provides details regarding the textual criticism, the nature of the manuscript, and later additions.