JS Bach Preludes and fugues

We now move forward into the 18th century to have a look at preludes and fugues from JS Bach's Well Tempered Clavier Books 1 and 2.

Let's look at the Prelude in C major from Book 1.

1. How is the use of rhythm typical of the Baroque period?
2. This piece consists entirely of _________
3. Analyse the chords in the entire piece and their inversions (no Roman numerals necessary). (Note Bar 23 contains a passing note).
4. How does Bach use inversions?
5. How does Bach use pedal notes?
6. Find the modulation, and state the key, and how you know it is a modulation.
7. Where do we get back to the tonic key?
8. How does Bach play with our harmonic expectations?
9. Play the piece. What dynamics would you add, where, and why?

The Prelude is followed by a fugue.
Fugues have a very specific vocabulary that you need to learn.

Read the information on fugues in your textbook pp181-185, and write down the meanings of the following terms:

Prelude
Fugue
Voice
Counterpoint
Imitation
Subject
Answer
Countersubject
Exposition
Episode

Fugal Devices:
Stretto
Augmentation/Diminution
Inversion
Retrograde
Retrograde Inversion

Watch this animation of the Fugue in C major and tick which of the above you hear.

Let's now take a closer look at the fiendishly clever Fugue in C minor from book 2. Download the score here and highlight each occurrence of the subject, labelling subject, exposition, each entry, and episodes, as well as cadences and key of each modulation. Which devices above are used?