Bach - Prelude and Fugue in A-flat major, BWV886 (WTC II)

[andhow04]

back after a long hiatus..

the a-flat from book II. the prelude is in a sort of free concertante style, similar to the last movement of the italian concerto perhaps, where the line between soloist and tutti is not always so clear. regardless, it is a very symphonic feeling piece.
the fugue was originally half or even a third as short as this setting, and was set in F major originaly. for this book of preludes and fugues bach transposed to a-flat and added quite a bit of music . it is a very beautiful subject and fairly simply-laid out fugue. this has always been one of my favorite sets, and works very well on the concert stage.

the link to the much discussed a-flat major from book I:
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=44122.0


(42)

[cpessimist]

Awesome! This is one of my favorite sets of prelude and fugue (most of them are).  Very very good ending of the prelude, I listened to it probably 10 times over - it was absolutely thrilling!

[scottmcc]

As usual your work is very nice!  I've missed hearing your Bach, and I'm glad you've returned to this project. This prelude and fugue set is less familiar to me than some of the others, but you've presented it with clarity and grace and I agree that it has a full, orchestral feel to it.  Thanks again.   

[andhow04]

Awesome! This is one of my favorite sets of prelude and fugue (most of them are).  Very very good ending of the prelude, I listened to it probably 10 times over - it was absolutely thrilling!

thanks for your kind words. i am using the bartok edition for my WTC project, just for fun, and his ending actually adds quite a bit to the chords, kind of grand-organ style.  i didn't follow those paricular additions, but definitely got the point