Baroque · 1722
Prelude in D minor (WTC Book I)
J. S. BachBWV 851
- Key
- Dm
- Time
- C
- Tempo
- ♩=96
- AO focus
- AO3
Incipit
Form
Prelude — sixth pair of WTC Book I. Continuous semiquaver figuration in the RH against a leaping LH bass. Toccata-style virtuosic perpetual motion.
Teaching points
- RH perpetual motion — even semiquavers throughout, no rest. Practise slowly, then ratchet tempo
- LH leaps — wider intervals on every beat; voice the bass line as if it were a separate cello part
- AO3: pair this with Prelude in C (BWV 846) to discuss Bach's range — same WTC, very different aesthetic
Full score ↓Public domain
Score: IMSLP (Bach-Gesellschaft + Henle urtext, all public domain).