Prelude and Fugue in C-sharp major, BWV 872

Prelude and Fugue in C-sharp major, BWV 872, is a keyboard composition written by Johann Sebastian Bach. It is the third prelude and fugue in the second book of The Well-Tempered Clavier, a series of 48 preludes and fugues in every major and minor key.


\version "2.18.2"
\header {
  tagline = ##f
}

\score {
  \new Staff \with {

  }
<<
  \relative c' {
    \key cis \major
    \time 4/4

     s1*0^\markup{Prelude} \repeat unfold 2 { << { r16 eis gis cis~ cis4 } \\ { s4 gis16 fis gis eis } >> } \bar ".."
     \time 4/4
     \stemDown e8\rest^\markup{Fugue} cis[ eis cis] << { \stemDown gis'8 e8\rest fis e8\rest e8\rest gis eis gis } \\ { \stemUp d8\rest gis8 bis gis cis d8\rest b e8\rest } >>

  }
>>
  \layout {
     \context { \Score \remove "Metronome_mark_engraver" }
  }
  \midi {}
}

Analysis

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Prelude

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The prelude is in common time and has 50 measures, built upon the characteristic arpeggios similar to the famous C major prelude from the first book of The Well-Tempered Clavier until the fugato.[1]

 

The arpeggios ends at m. 25, and the fugato starts, which uses the time signature of 3
8
. It has three voices.[1]

 

Fugue

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The fugue has three voices and 35 measures.[1] The subject is simply made from notes from the major triad, but has mutated many times throughout the whole fugue.[2]

 

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Bach: Prelude and Fugue No.3 in C♯ major, BWV 872 Analysis". Tonic Chord. 2018-05-08.
  2. ^ Ledbetter (2002), pp. 249–251

Bibliography

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