Question- Bach prelude and fugue

[harjoydes]

Hi,
When performing a Bach prelude and fugue, how much (if any) space do you leave between the two?  Should you carry on with the fugue as soon as the prelude finishes, or take a breath, wiggle your fingers and start over?

[nicco]

It should feel natural. A breathing space between the two is required.

[faulty_damper]

You maintain the pulse.  How many pulses depend on the character of the piece prior and latter.  This is very difficult to explain as the differences in time are difficult to 'feel'.  It will sound odd if you start the next piece on an off beat - it needs to be on a strong beat (unless there is an anacrusis).

Any kind of ritardando in the prelude changes the pulse and you continue that retarded pulse until the fugue.

This is a terrible explaination and I'll cease it.   

You have to use your best musical taste and judement.  You just have to 'feel it'.

[pianowelsh]

It will depend on which you are playing some are much more attaca - you need to go straight on in because they are very much in the same mood. Some unfold gradually and therefore a thinking space is helpfull. It is possible to divorce the fugue from the prelude which is Never good there needs to be a connection - how you make that connection (physical/aural - ?contreversially spiritual) is entirely up to you.

[harjoydes]

Thank you all for your replies.  As vague as they are, I think I understand what you are trying to say.  I guess just come in when it feels right.  I'm doing D Major-no.5 1st book.
They are quite different in character, but I can understand that if you continue the rhythm, there is a 'right' beat to enter on.

[pianohenry]

something like:

no2 in c minor - Straight on in from prelude - right into the fugue.
no14 in f sharp - theres time for a pause, the mood is calmer and should leave a slight gap for the music in the prelude to sort of, sink in.

[bartolomeo_]

Most of Bach's preludes and fugues were originally written for organ.  The ones that were not would have been affected by the organ performance practices of the time.

In the larger churches where these pieces were heard, the prelude and fugue would have been played on separate consoles and so time would have been required for the organist to move between consoles.  In many cases the consoles were back to back so that the organist could turn around, and facing the other way, play the other instrument.

While there are sometimes musical grounds for an attaca of the fugue, it is not a historically appropriate practice.  My organ prof insists upon space between the two portions.

[pianistimo]

interesting!  unless.  unless of course you are only playing a fugue.  like the gross fugue recently discovered.  www.newyorker.com/critics/music/articles/060206crmv_music