Ariadne musica

The main part of the collection is a cycle of 20 preludes and fugues in different keys, so Ariadne musica is considered an important precursor to Johann Sebastian Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier, which has a similar structure.

The title refers to the Greek myth in which Theseus finds his way out of Minotaur's labyrinth using a ball of thread that Ariadne, daughter of King Minos of Crete, gave him.

The original print mentioned by Johann Gottfried Walther in Musicalisches Lexicon is now lost, but a manuscript copy survives.

The same six-note subject is found in two 17th century keyboard compositions by the famous Johann Jakob Froberger: Fantasia No.

Ariadne musica is rarely performed or recorded, although individual preludes and fugues frequently appear on miscellaneous compilations of Baroque organ music.

Last 4 bars of the E-flat major prelude from Ariadne musica. — Last 4 bars of the E-flat major prelude from *Ariadne musica* .

Opening bars of the E major fugue from Ariadne musica. — Opening bars of the E major fugue from *Ariadne musica* .

The beginning of Bach's E major fugue from the second volume of the Well-Tempered Clavier. — The beginning of Bach's E major fugue from the second volume of the *Well-Tempered Clavier* .

The opening bars of Froberger's Ricercar No. 4; the six-note theme is shown in blue, its inverted form is shown in dark pink. — The opening bars of Froberger's *Ricercar No. 4* ; the six-note theme is shown in blue, its inverted form is shown in dark pink.