The Well-Tempered Clavier – Part 1

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Walkthrough - Prelude and Fugue No. 2 in C Minor (5)

Fugue: Bars 1- 6

1. The character of the subject is in the spirit of a polonaise, lively yet restrained. I suggest a moderate tempo (the given tempo band represents an average) with light articulations. Whether you decide on my articulations or come up with your own be consistent throughout.
2. I have articulated the countersubject to fit neatly with the subject. Feel free to do it differently (again, consistency is the key).
3. The codetta after the answer is a rising sequence. Begin it lightly and build up to the bass entry in bar 7. Don’t try to connect up the short phrases in the middle voice; make a small break after each tie.
4. The middle voice now transfers to the RH. Take care that you release the last LH note (D) in the middle voice before the RH takes it over. Over the bar line, hold onto the crotchet C as long as possible.

Fugue: Bars 7 - 9

5. To avoid clumsiness in the RH, the E-Flat (middle voice) may be taken by the left thumb.
6. The fugal exposition ends here. Begin the first episode lightly, enjoying the playful dialogue between the upper voices (the soprano leads here) while shaping the bass line with delicate hairpin contours.

Resources and further reading For complete score, see Practising the Piano Annotated Study Edition (click here) Article on using the Practice Stepladder for learning contrapuntal music featuring this work (click here)