J.S Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in C sharp minor (WTC, Book II, No. 4) BWV 873 was written during the middle to late years of Bach’s career. Prior to composing the second collection of WTC, he was primarily writing partitas and cantatas. These pieces require great technical skill and a mature musical style. By the time Bach began composing the second collection of preludes and fugues, the fugue was no longer popular. Bach did not stray from the traditional form of a fugue, but he incorporated dance-like rhythms. Bach used characteristics and rhythms that were typically associated with a gigue. WTC Book 2 exemplifies Bach versatility in composition styles.
Prelude and Fugue in C sharp minor are very contrapuntal. This pair of pieces sounds improvisatory. Both the prelude and the fugue are written with a three voice texture. The prelude is highly ornamented which displays the improvisatory style of the Baroque period for keyboard compositions. The fugue is syncopated which gives it a much more dance-like feel.
Below are two of my favorite recordings:
Andras Schiff, a master of performing Bach, performs Prelude and Fugue in C sharp minor with the grandeur and intimacy that this piece requires. His interpretation is much more traditional to the expectations of a Baroque composition. There is very little use of the sustain pedal, if any. He embraces the song and dance elements of a fugue from this period of time in Bach’s career. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xW-dH0a23s
Nikolai Demidenko, Russian-born pianist, recorded BWV 873 in Venice in 2000. His interpretation of the prelude is lyrical and embraces the tragic sound that the key of C sharp minor naturally embodies. Demidenko builds beautiful lines with the themes presented. He takes advantage of the capabilities of the modern piano with his use of sustaining notes.
His performance is inspired and he is able to convey the beauty of Bach’s work with his colorful tone at the piano. Demidenko’s approach to the fugue with a brilliant tone quality. The contrast between the prelude and fugue is drastic. The fugue still bears the intensity of the prelude while conflicting in meter and tempo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFm4iFD3Dik
I really like Demidenko's recording! He seems to take advantage of the modern instrument, like you said, and creates very beautiful lines. I almost always listen to Schiff for the preludes and fugues, so it's refreshing to hear another interpretation!
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