Prelude and Fugue No. 21 in B flat Major from The Well-Tempered Clavier (J.S. Bach)

Question 1

date of composition

Answer 1

Book 1 - 1722, Book 2 - 1742

Question 2

genre

Answer 2

keyboard music - preludes and fugues

Question 3

structure

Answer 3

2 books, each beginning with preludes and fugues in C + and C -, and moving up chromatically by semitone, ending in B + and B -

Question 4

performing forces

Answer 4

piano

Question 5

Prelude: key

Answer 5

B flat major

Question 6

Prelude: tempo

Answer 6

no specific indication on score, style implies a quick tempo (in the manner of a toccata: a fast keyboard work demonstrating a virtuosic, improvisatory character)

Question 7

Prelude: time signature

Answer 7

C

Question 8

Prelude: texture

Answer 8

homo and polyphonic

Question 9

Prelude: structure/form

Answer 9

binary (AB) form

Question 10

Prelude: A

Answer 10

broken chord passages played in breathless 32 notes and treated sequentially. Marked by frequent 32 note runs. A ends in F major (dominant) and proceeds immediately to B

Question 11

Prelude: B

Answer 11

continues the toccata-like style wiht the use of rapid cadenza-like runs that emerge from arpeggiated seventh chords. emphasizes virtuosity. The improvisatory style is in marked contrast to the fugue

Question 12

Prelude: affection

Answer 12

dramatic, with lots of verve and panache. operatic (recitative-like chords)

Question 13

Fugue: key

Answer 13

B flat major

Question 14

Fugue: tempo

Answer 14

moderately fast; no tempo indications

Question 15

Fugue: time signature

Answer 15

3/4

Question 16

Fugue: texture

Answer 16

polyphonic

Question 17

Fugue: # of voices

Answer 17

3

Question 18

Fugue: type of answer

Answer 18

tonal

Question 19

Fugue: counter-subject

Answer 19

there are two heard simultaneously throughout

Question 20

Fugue: middle section

Answer 20

the first episode leads to G minor. The subject appears in G minor followed by a tonal answer in C minor. The second episode leads to E flat major and a partial entry of the tonal answer in that key. A complete entry of the subject in E flat major

Question 21

Fugue: final section

Answer 21

concludes with a tonal answer reaffirming the home key of B flat major. The final 4 measures act as a coda bringing the fugue to a strong close

Question 22

Fugue: affection

Answer 22

good-natured

Question 23

Review and Reflection

Answer 23

a single emotion or gesture dominates, and has a free, improvisatory style