Bach, J.S. : Prelude & Fugue in Eb Major, BWV 852 – Well-Tempered Klavier, book 1

Bach, J.S. : Prelude & Fugue in Eb Major, BWV 852 – Well-Tempered Klavier, book 1

J.S.Bach’s prelude and fugue in E flat Major, book 1, BWV 852 is a remarkable piece. The long prelude feels as an large toccata with all elements of surprise as the late 17th century organ music had to offer: a beginning that sounds as an introduction, ending with elaborated fast notes that form the bridge to a static fugue, even much closer to early 17th c. Dutch music like Sweelinck than to Buxtehude. And from there on, developing all elements combined, the static fugue theme with the theme entrances of the beginning. All of that packed in a technical very demanding keyboard style that by no means relates to earlier music. It is even not close to even what musicians as Buxtehude wrote.

Speaking on technique… that fugue… well, that is a level of difficulty that proofs how far Bach was ahead of about everything of his time. One little millimeter further and that middle voice would have needed a third hand…
But the clavichord sings ! (At least, I hope 🙂 )

Let me know what you think about this piece and what your ‘relation ship’ is with it in the comment section below !