Prelude and Fugue in C-sharp minor, BWV 849

The Prelude and Fugue in C-sharp minor, BWV 849, is a pair of keyboard compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach.

The solemn and expressive, recitative character of the melody is reminiscent of Bach's passion music.

A direct relationship between the prelude and its fugue, while not readily apparent, is hinted in the long-held durations of the bass in the first ten measures.

The five voices are heard at the beginning of the fugue in ascending order, starting with the bass.

The second theme, which enters in measure 36, is a flowing changing-tone motif, in eighth notes, that can be heard as a diminution and motivic transformation of the main subject.

Fugue in C ♯ minor of the *Well-Tempered Clavier* Book I in Bach's handwriting. ^{[

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Prelude theme

Prelude performed on the piano:

by Martha Goldstein

by Kimiko Ishizaka

Fugue theme

Fugue performed on the piano:

by Martha Goldstein

by Kimiko Ishizaka