The prelude is steadily and earnestly flowing, producing a polyphonic aria of rare beauty, similar to what js bach has achieved in book 1 prelude f. Its not just youthere are a number of general stylistic and architectural differences between book i and book ii, which is to be expected given that the compilations are separated by a period of twenty years. There is consequently less variety in this fugue than in many others of the collection. The first part of the prelude is structured into three sections. Analysis of bachs fugue bwv 871 in c minor wtc, book ii. Bach 16851750 is considered to be the most iconic figure of the baroque period 1600s to 1750, so much so that the. The welltempered clavier, bwv 846893, is a collection of two sets of preludes and fugues in all 24 major and minor keys, composed for solo keyboard by johann sebastian bach.
Piano sheet music book by johann sebastian bach 16851750. Compare the harmonies of the ending with those at the end of chopins c sharp minor study op. His works such as the brandenburg concertos are known for their technical depth and artistic beauty. The welltempered clavier i by pierrelaurent aimard. An early version of the prelude, bwv 846a, is found in the klavierbuchlein fur wilhelm friedemann bach. The prelude and fugue in c major, bwv 846, is a keyboard composition written by johann sebastian bach. It is the first prelude and fugue in the first book of the welltempered clavier, a series of 48 preludes and fugues by the composer. S bach prelude and fugue in c sharp minor bwv 873, book 2. Palmer, explains that this is the most frequently performed of all the preludes and fugues from the two volumes of j. Prelude and fugue in g minor, bwv 861 bach, johann.
The underlying harmonic progression gives a sense of how to shape the constant stream of semiquavers 16th notes. The fortyeight preludes and fugues that make up the two books of the welltempered clavier were compiled at two different timesthe first book in 1722 while bach was in. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. Bach composed a paired prelude and fugue in each of the 24 keys to demonstrate the viability of the. A detailed guide that analyzes the structural, harmonic and thematic frame of the prelude and the fugue. Albert wong the welltempered clavier, book 2 preludes and fugues nos. In bachs time clavier was a generic name indicating a variety of keyboard instruments, most typically a harpsichord or clavichord but not excluding an organ either the modern german spelling for the collection is. S welltempered clavier the, book 2 landowska 19511954 by johann sebastian bach. To discover the harmonic framework, play the first two notes in each half bar together thus. Prelude and fugue in f minor from welltempered clavier. Welltempered clavier book one prelude and fugue no.
This prelude and fugue was taken from book 2 of the welltempered clavier, composed in 1742 by johann sebastian bach. Prelude and fugue in d major, bwv 874 index of book 2. Book 2 prelude in g sharp minor perky rhythm, interesting harmonies. Johann sebastian bach was a noted german composer, keyboardist, and violinist. Shostakovich urtext piano prelude and fugue book 2 sheet. Prelude and fugue in d minor, bwv 851 from wtc i a guide.
He first gave the title to a book of preludes and fugues in all 24 major and minor keys, dated 1722, composed for the profit and use of musical youth desirous. Bachs c minor fugue bwv 871 from the second book of the wtc offers an excellent example of three contrapuntal techniques. This is the case for each of the 2 books of the welltempered clavier. Bach gave the present title to the work, which was composed for the use and practice of musical youth eager to learn and for the amusement of those already skilled in this study. Prelude and fugue in f minor, from welltempered clavier book i johann sebastian bach. They are actually two different works, but are meant to be performed together. The very first piece i performed in that competition was bachs prelude and fugue in g minor from book 2 the live recording of which i have posted here the one with that perplexing, disjunct theme that allows huge flexibility in the choice of articulation and phrasing fugue at 2. The prelude moves inexorably forward like a huge musical juggernaut.
Her heartfelt interpretation of the prelude and fugue in f sharp minor can be best summed up in her own words. Prelude and fugue in b flat minor, well tempered piano. Prelude and fugue in e minor, bwv 855, is the 10th prelude and fugue for keyboard harpsichord in the first book of the well tempered clavier, composed in 1722 by johann sebastian bach. Is it just me, or does bachs wtc book 1 seem sassier. At the other end of our traversal, for the final prelude and fugue in b minor, we would expect bach to produce something truly exceptional, and he does not disappoint us. This excellent edition contains an explanation of the source manuscripts from which it has been prepared, a. Prelude et fugue en sol mineur bwv 861 authorities wikipedia. He was born on or near march 21 1685 and died on july 28, 1750. This was perhaps the first prelude and fugue by bach that i first learned because i loved it after listening repeatedly to a. Prelude and fugue in b flat minor, from book ii, welltempered clavier johann sebastian bach.