Regarding Bach Prelude BWV 884 [WTCII]

[mschopinliszt]

I'm using the Henle Urtext edition of WTC with a student for this Prelude/Fugue in G Major, and have a question about a possible error/omission in measure 7 of the Prelude.  The implied harmony in this measure is A Major [as evidenced by the g# and outer a's in the left hand]  When i learned this work in college, my teacher suggested i sharp the c's, to accomodate this harmony.  Listening to this, it sounds terribly odd withOUT the c#, and i'm wondering if the lack of c# could be an error of early copying, or perhaps totally ommitted by Bach by mistake.  Your thoughts would be welcomed!

[bachfan87]

I just had a look at my copy of the Prelude and there is no C# there. Of course I've never really played the piece before, so I'm not sure how it sounds. But you're right though, it must sound pretty odd since most of the other Cs are sharped. It's up to you I guess.

[mschopinliszt]

Thanks for your response, bachfan.  It does seem rather odd that this particular measure is lacking a c#.  I see that 50+ people have looked at this thread, and only one response.  Does anyone else have an opinion about this issue?  If so, i'd really like to hear it.  Thanks.

[nicco]

What is strange? Its A minor here. It goes from G major (I) to D major (V) to A minor (II)

[mschopinliszt]

V- ii - V [D - ami - D] within the key of G is not as common practice as having the following progression:V - V/V - V [D - Amajor - D], especially in Baroque literature.  The secondary dominant in a key naturally resolves to the dominant chord because it sounds like a brief modulation to the dominant. THAT is why i'm thinking it's supposed to be AMajor, but has been copied in error.

[nicco]

As the C appears several more times in relation to A minor i doubt its a misprint. Maybe its just Bach's way of throwing in a little variation. Everything doesent have to be as expected.

Btw, after hearing this prelude a few times i found i really like it. Thanks