Prelude and Fugue in E-flat major, BWV 852
Prelude and Fugue in E-flat major, BWV 852, is a keyboard composition by Johann Sebastian Bach. It is the seventh prelude and fugue in the first book of The Well-Tempered Clavier, a series of 48 preludes and fugues by the composer.
Analysis[edit]
Prelude[edit]
The prelude is 70 measures long, and consists of three parts. Measure 1-10 is a short toccata[1], establishing the tonic key (E♭), and presenting theme I. Measure 10-25 is a chorale, in the style of four-part harmony, introducing theme II. After measure 25, theme III appears, which is a double fugue made from theme I (extended) and theme II.[2][3]
This prelude is unique in the whole Well-Tempered Clavier, due to the fact that it already contains a proper fugue. Harpsichordist Pieter-Jan Belder theorises this prelude was originally written for organ.[a]
Fugue[edit]
The fugue is 37 measures long.
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Belder on Bach WTC I Prelude and fugue no. 7 in E-flat major BWV 852 | Netherlands Bach Society". 2021-02-14.
- ^ "Bach: Prelude and Fugue No.7 in E♭ major, BWV 852 Analysis". Tonic Chord. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
- ^ "The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I: Fugue in E-flat major, BWV 852 - Animated Score and Analysis". 2019-09-24.