Western — Classical & Romantic
Baroque · 1723

Two-Part Invention No. 2 in C minor

J. S. BachBWV 773

Key
Cm
Time
4/4
Tempo
♩=76
AO focus
AO3

Incipit

Form

Invention — two-voice imitative counterpoint, the subject inverted at the dominant in bar 3.

Teaching points

  • Subject in voice 1 (bar 1) → answer in voice 2 a fifth lower (bar 3) — same shape, transposed
  • Modulation passes through Eb (relative major) by bar 6
  • Compare counterpoint texture vs. C major Invention No. 1 — minor mode darkens the affect
Topic T9Topic T11