Piano Forum
Piano Board => Audition Room => Topic started by: andhow04 on May 21, 2012, 01:24:36 PM
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the lovely prelude and fugue in e major from the second book.
The prelude is one that i am seeing is typical of the second book, in two parts with repeat signs, and in a very fluid, extremely refined counterpoint. other exmaples would include C major, B-flat major, f# minor jsut to name a few off the top of my head.
this one is particularly lovely because at cadences, the leading voices don't always resolve, adding a certain air of melancholy or nostalgia. they just disappear and another voices takes over at the cadence.
the fugue is a so-called "white note" fugue, meaning it is in 4 / 2 meter and filled with whole and half notes. it also apparently follows some archaic rules about structuring fugues, concerning stretto: in each section (there are strong cadences to mark the different points) bach introduces stretto at a closer and closer point in the theme. he combines at one point, in stretto, the theme in diminished rhythm; original rhythm; and inverted in diminished rhythm.
this fugue is very challenging rhythmically but it is not hard under the hands.
here is E major from book I:
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=42582.msg467586#msg467586
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This was wonderful. I'll be coming back here to replay -- especially the fugue. I particularly liked the way there that you controlled the dynamics so that, when you hit the A a third below high C, the beauty of the harmony and counterpoint reached a zenith.
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Very nice indeed. I personally prefer the fugue a little slower (but realise I'm very much in the minority on that one). Also, the left hand trill in the prelude could stand a little refining. That aside, I enjoyed this very much. :D
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Charming indeed. I have been meaning to delve into the wtc more myself, and this set is definitely on my list. I like the freshness which you bring to these. Thanks!
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thanks for the replies. this is def. a good prelude and fugue for a concert, as are many especially from the second book i am finding, because the preludes are so much more intricate, and the fugues often very contrasting. several preludes from the second book have really stuck out for me, including this one, the b-flat major, c# minor which is coming soon, c major, d major, f major, f# minor, and some others. they are just more ingenious somehow than the simpler, but still effective preludes in book I.