Prelude and Fugue in e minor from Well-Tempered Clavier Book I Johann Sebastian Bach
The common practice in Bach's day was to use the
mean-tone system for tuning a keyboard instrument which made it impossible to
play in all 24 keys. Gradually musicians turned to equal temperament which
makes each key tolerable. Thus in 1722 Bach composed the first book of the
Well-Tempered Clavier which contains 24 Preludes and Fugues written in all
major and minor keys.
The
Prelude in e minor begins with a slow tempo and represents mourning. In the
second half of the Prelude-using the sixteenth note passages in a presto tempo- Bach creates a contrasting
mood which leads us into the Fugue. The Fugue is written in two voices. The
subject is chromatic and represents the Dies
Irae, the one idea carried throughout the piece. In contrast, the Prelude in Bb Major is composed
in an organ style, and provides us with a bright mood of triumph. The Fugue
represents the celebration of a new beginning. Konstantyn
Travinskyy
Classical Music | Piano Music
Johann Sebastian Bach
Prelude and Fugue in e minor from Well-Tempered Clavier Book I
PlayRecorded on 11/21/2006, uploaded on 01/08/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Prelude and Fugue in e minor from Well-Tempered Clavier Book I Johann Sebastian Bach
The common practice in Bach's day was to use the mean-tone system for tuning a keyboard instrument which made it impossible to play in all 24 keys. Gradually musicians turned to equal temperament which makes each key tolerable. Thus in 1722 Bach composed the first book of the Well-Tempered Clavier which contains 24 Preludes and Fugues written in all major and minor keys.
The Prelude in e minor begins with a slow tempo and represents mourning. In the second half of the Prelude-using the sixteenth note passages in a presto tempo- Bach creates a contrasting mood which leads us into the Fugue. The Fugue is written in two voices. The subject is chromatic and represents the Dies Irae, the one idea carried throughout the piece. In contrast, the Prelude in Bb Major is composed in an organ style, and provides us with a bright mood of triumph. The Fugue represents the celebration of a new beginning. Konstantyn Travinskyy
More music by Johann Sebastian Bach
French Suite No 6 in E major BWV 817
Prelude in b minor
Nun komm’ der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659
Prelude and Fugue in A minor BWV 894
English Suite No. 2 in a minor, BWV 807
Well Tempered Clavier - Prelude 1
Prelude and Fugue in E Major from Well-Tempered Clavier Book II
Italian concerto, BWV 971
Prelude and Fugue in B-flat Major from Well-Tempered Clavier Book I
Prelude and Fugue in B flat minor, Well Tempered Piano Book 2
Performances by same musician(s)
Prelude and Fugue in B-flat Major from Well-Tempered Clavier Book I
Valse Op. 70, No. 1 in G-flat Major
Etude Op. 10, No. 1 in C Major
Valse Op. 64, No. 2 in c-sharp minor
Standchen-Leise flehen meine Lieder, from Franz Schubert’s Schwanengesang
Auf dem Wasser zu Singen
Valse Op. post. in e minor
Etude Op. 25, No. 12 in c minor
Etude Op. 10, No. 12 in c minor “Revolutionary”
Polka WR
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