Prelude BWV 924a in C Maj.

Præludium [Prelude] in C Maj. BWV 924a

Piano: Tullio Forlenza

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Original manuscript: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

HISTORICAL NOTES

This is the 26th piece in the "Clavier-Büchlein vor Wilhelm Friedemann Bach", Bach's eldest son, Bach began composing the collection on 22nd January 1720 in Cöthen.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PIECE

The prelude is very similar to the Prelude BWV 924 suggesting that this is a first draft, or a draft of a draft or a variant thereof. The two songs, however, differ both in the melodic and harmonic style as well in structure, since this one totally lacks a second section wich is instead found in BWV 924. The way it unfolds is more and in the last few bars there is a cadence that accompianies us gradually towards the end.

PERFORMANCE NOTES

From the point of view of interpretation there are no specific problems, making it perfectly suited to students who are new to Bach preludes. The performance proposed favors a lyrical melodic line in the bass as well as allowing for effective rhythmic freedom in the final cadence without distorting the original rhythmic pattern

CURIOSITY

Many critics attribute the piece to Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, while others disagree with this observing that the manuscript is devoid of corrections, suggesting that it had been copied from an earlier source, most likely by Johann Sebastian. Other hypothesizey that it is an exercise in composition intended for Wilhelm Friedemann.

Tullio Forlenza