This article is part of a series: Read about the entire Well-Tempered Clavier

Introduction

This prelude and fugue are a great example of the magic of the Well-Tempered clavier. Despite its utter simplicity, the prelude achieves unmatched levels of excitement by using interesting rhythmic tricks. The fugue matches that simplicity, yet maintains great interest using only a few basic structural and melodic ideas.

Like the prelude in C minor, this prelude uses a moto perpetuo rhythm, made up of a constant stream of notes; however, it brilliantly subverts that expectation by mixing in additional rhythms. The three-voice fugue is surprisingly long, but is constantly interesting thanks to its rising energy and spontaneous melodies.

Terms

• Syncopation/syncopated: Displacing rhythms, placing stress on off-beats
• Fugue: A Baroque compositional device where voices imitate a subject in a structured way
• Countersubject: A secondary theme that complements the subject of a fugue
• Cadence: An ending to a piece or section, including melodies and harmonies that create a sense of resolution

Listening Guide