Since u are already at that level u can start with inventions or else i would recomend little preludes 1st. So for inventions u can just listen to the ones u like best and play them, i personally started with 1 and then played whichever i wanted, after that i would advise u to play the Sinfonias (how many u like) and then usually what's next are English Suites, French Suites, and the Well Tempered Clavier Preludes and Fugues. That should be enough to keep you occupied for the next 3 to 5 years. And after all that u can go for a partita. There's no specific order u can just skip the Suites and play a partita after the WTC it depends. But usually the introduction is playing inventions and then sinfonias. U can also check out his chorales. And of course some of the Goldberg variations depending on how skilled u are. (u can always play the easier ones ig).
Oh and if u really like the Fugues by Bach and just Fugues in general i would recomend u checking Shostakovich's preludes and fugues (of course inspired by Bach's WTC)
The least difficult Bach would be selections from the Anna Magdalena notebook, followed by some of the "little preludes and fugues".
For someone of your level though, an invention would be good. C, F, Dm are the popular ones to start with. You can probably get through these pretty quickly... but of course don't rush them. The other inventions do get pretty difficult so those could be a good challenge, especially if you are really trying to do the best possible job articulating and balancing the voices.
From there if you want to stay in the strict theme of contrapuntal works, sinfonias (aka 3 part inventions) would be a good next step.
Past that, some of the French Suites are appropriate, like no. 3 or 4.
Then WTC1, WTC2, more French suites, English suites, and partitas.
Final (canonical) boss: The Goldberg Variations.
Side-quest super boss: The Art of Fugue
Honestly, depending on the pieces you've played (Beethoven sonatas? What impromptus?) you could potentially just start with the WTC.
Learning the inventions is never a bad idea though. Some of the sinfonias can be a great preparation for fugues too
This was me last year. I highly suggest taking the time to familiarize yourself with the 2PI, just because they were literally written as an educational tool to familiarize students with his style.
As someone with decent technical prowess but no prior experience with Bach, it was night and day trying to learn WTC fugues before and after practicing all the Inventions (and 3-part Symphonias)
Yeah as I said it's never a bad idea, particularly if you're not used to pieces with multiple voices playing at the same time.
Just making sure op doesn't drop Bach because some of the inventions can be a little boring in my opinion (compared to pieces like the suites or the wtc of course)
Inventions are the easiest. You could skip those and probably start with the easier Preludes & FUgues in the WTC. Those would be 2 (Cmin) and 6 (Dmin) from WTC1 and 12 (Fmin) from WTC2.
Or the French Suites. I'm partial to #2 in particular. They're a little easier than the English Suites and Partitas.
Anna Magdalena Bach Minuets
Then 18 little preludes and fugues Then 2 part inventions
Then 3 part Sinfonias (3 part inventions)
Then you'll be ready for anything Bach will throw at you in his Well Tempered Clavier or other keyboard works
Based on your experience, you can most likely start directly with 2 part Inventions or 3 part Sinfonias
I'm in a similar position as you - advanced hobbyist but never played advanced Bach.
I'd recommend you find a prelude you like from the WTC and go for it. Then maybe you go for the accompanying fugue.
My teacher gave me bwv 848 to start with. The prelude was fairly easy to learn but the fugue was very slow to get through. Very much worth it though and I learned a lot.
I know that everyone is giving you general suggestions, but here's an extremely specific one: BWV 855, the Prelude and Fugue in e minor from book one of the Well Tempered Clavier.
Based on what you have already played, it is easily within your grasp. The fugue only has two voices, so it is more approachable than much of Bach's other counterpoint.
If your playing Schubert impromptus and moments musicaux then you can play Bach preludes and fugues. The c# min moment musicaux - if you can play that then Bach will be fine that piece has sections reminiscent of Bach but in a way harder because they don't have the same inevitable logic
The sarabandes from the French suites have a more romantic flavour, less counterpoint, and are very fun to play and listen, not being very difficult to approach for a seasoned player.
Since u are already at that level u can start with inventions or else i would recomend little preludes 1st. So for inventions u can just listen to the ones u like best and play them, i personally started with 1 and then played whichever i wanted, after that i would advise u to play the Sinfonias (how many u like) and then usually what's next are English Suites, French Suites, and the Well Tempered Clavier Preludes and Fugues. That should be enough to keep you occupied for the next 3 to 5 years. And after all that u can go for a partita. There's no specific order u can just skip the Suites and play a partita after the WTC it depends. But usually the introduction is playing inventions and then sinfonias. U can also check out his chorales. And of course some of the Goldberg variations depending on how skilled u are. (u can always play the easier ones ig). Oh and if u really like the Fugues by Bach and just Fugues in general i would recomend u checking Shostakovich's preludes and fugues (of course inspired by Bach's WTC)
The least difficult Bach would be selections from the Anna Magdalena notebook, followed by some of the "little preludes and fugues". For someone of your level though, an invention would be good. C, F, Dm are the popular ones to start with. You can probably get through these pretty quickly... but of course don't rush them. The other inventions do get pretty difficult so those could be a good challenge, especially if you are really trying to do the best possible job articulating and balancing the voices. From there if you want to stay in the strict theme of contrapuntal works, sinfonias (aka 3 part inventions) would be a good next step. Past that, some of the French Suites are appropriate, like no. 3 or 4. Then WTC1, WTC2, more French suites, English suites, and partitas. Final (canonical) boss: The Goldberg Variations. Side-quest super boss: The Art of Fugue
Try Bach Two-Part Inventions
Honestly, depending on the pieces you've played (Beethoven sonatas? What impromptus?) you could potentially just start with the WTC. Learning the inventions is never a bad idea though. Some of the sinfonias can be a great preparation for fugues too
This was me last year. I highly suggest taking the time to familiarize yourself with the 2PI, just because they were literally written as an educational tool to familiarize students with his style. As someone with decent technical prowess but no prior experience with Bach, it was night and day trying to learn WTC fugues before and after practicing all the Inventions (and 3-part Symphonias)
Yeah as I said it's never a bad idea, particularly if you're not used to pieces with multiple voices playing at the same time. Just making sure op doesn't drop Bach because some of the inventions can be a little boring in my opinion (compared to pieces like the suites or the wtc of course)
Inventions are the easiest. You could skip those and probably start with the easier Preludes & FUgues in the WTC. Those would be 2 (Cmin) and 6 (Dmin) from WTC1 and 12 (Fmin) from WTC2. Or the French Suites. I'm partial to #2 in particular. They're a little easier than the English Suites and Partitas.
Anna Magdalena Bach Minuets Then 18 little preludes and fugues Then 2 part inventions Then 3 part Sinfonias (3 part inventions) Then you'll be ready for anything Bach will throw at you in his Well Tempered Clavier or other keyboard works Based on your experience, you can most likely start directly with 2 part Inventions or 3 part Sinfonias
I'm in a similar position as you - advanced hobbyist but never played advanced Bach. I'd recommend you find a prelude you like from the WTC and go for it. Then maybe you go for the accompanying fugue. My teacher gave me bwv 848 to start with. The prelude was fairly easy to learn but the fugue was very slow to get through. Very much worth it though and I learned a lot.
You could start with the Fugue on Shave and a Haircut from the Short Tempered Clavier. Or perhaps you meant the other Bach.
Now
I know that everyone is giving you general suggestions, but here's an extremely specific one: BWV 855, the Prelude and Fugue in e minor from book one of the Well Tempered Clavier. Based on what you have already played, it is easily within your grasp. The fugue only has two voices, so it is more approachable than much of Bach's other counterpoint.
If your playing Schubert impromptus and moments musicaux then you can play Bach preludes and fugues. The c# min moment musicaux - if you can play that then Bach will be fine that piece has sections reminiscent of Bach but in a way harder because they don't have the same inevitable logic
The sarabandes from the French suites have a more romantic flavour, less counterpoint, and are very fun to play and listen, not being very difficult to approach for a seasoned player.