Prelude (Fantasia), for keyboard in C minor, BWV 921 Although representative of “unruly virtuoso and improvisatory elements in Bach’s early works” (Wolf 2001) BWV 921 is a far cry from the wilder and emptier products of Buttstett, whose superficially comparable writing might have provided stimulation (inspiration would be the wrong word). The much younger Bach is more expert in his voice leading and more purposeful in his modulations and his exploration of diverse meters and types of figguration. Although designated a praeludium in ABB, BWV 921 has little to do with Bach’s other preludes, apart from its dependence on arpeggios and chordal figuration. There are five brief sections in four different meters; the central section is the longest, consisting in part of variations over a very simple ground bass. This section is also the quietest, framed by more fully scored passages. The arpeggiando chords of the opening return briefly (mm. 76–7) just before the last, climactic section, which is marked prestissimo (young Bach liked superlatives). The latter calls for a simple pedal part, which is also implied by the wide chord in m.6. youtube/watch?v=QXRmHRAp1RY
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 13:20:09 +0000
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