Bach - Prelude and Fugue in a minor, BWV865 (WTC I)

[andhow04]

the miniature prelude and enormous fugue in a minor from the first book - incidentally this completes book I of the WTC for me, and I have three more in book II before i finish the whole project.

the prelude is a sort of improvisatory setting of the key, with some grand flourishes, but nothing too deep.  its charm lies mainly in the simplicty of the harmony and the biting rhythm. the fugue is both an exposition of strict, academic counterpoint, and a virtuoso display of the highest order.

with the theme bach acts more systematically than maybe any other fugue in the wtc, and mainly omits all episodic material in favor of a series of developing expositions: first a recto exposition , then a second exposition in version; then  recto stretto at the octave; inversion stretto at the octave; recto stretto at the fifth; inversion stretto at the fifth; three voice stretto; and finally four voice stretto for a grand finale.  i can't think of any other fugue which is so clearly laid out, though d# minor from book I perhaps is similar. the voices are all very distinct and this fugue requires a lot of physical effort. it is actually a joy to play.


the prelude and fugue in a minor from book II:
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=42310.msg465838#msg465838


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[emill]

You have always impressed me as someone who knows his Bach
and that is again prominently shown in this P&F ... especially the fugue.
Thanks for posting and sharing.