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Baroque · prelude

Prelude No. 9 in E major, BWV 854 (WTC I)

Johann Sebastian Bach · Level 6, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

A manuscript from 1722, a printed afterlife around 1800. Prelude No. 9 in E major, BWV 854 (WTC I) is a prelude by Johann Sebastian Bach from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 6, an estimate.

On this page
  • prelude
  • Baroque
  • Key of E major
  • gentle

History

Prelude No. 9 in E major, BWV 854 (WTC I) belongs to the first book of The Well-Tempered Clavier. Bach's collection fair copy is dated 1722. For many years its life was in manuscript: around 1800, publishers in Zurich, Bonn and Vienna/Leipzig brought competing editions into print. That long journey from manuscript to publication is part of this piece's wider history.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. Broken chords above layered support

    The upper broken-chord phrase sits above sustained and moving lower voices. Hear the upper line and the supporting layers distinctly.

  2. Chromatic turns develop the overlap

    Changing entries and chromatic turns overlap tied upper and lower notes. Follow the colour changes without shortening the held sounds.

  3. A short flowing transition

    Upper sixteenths move over an active lower response in the transition. Hear this brief increase in motion as a link between larger phrases.

  4. Independent voices find a held E-major close

    Upper and lower continuations remain independent before joining in the final E-major chord. Hear the convergence rather than striking every preceding event equally.

How to practise it

Continuous small upper notes; slower overlapping inner durations.

  1. Practise the opening contour in small groups, keeping its longer arrival audible.
  2. Practise the held layer separately before combining its timing with the shorter notes.

How hard is it

Level 6, estimated

A flowing pastoral texture needs a singing upper line and gently coordinated support without mechanical accenting.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Johann Sebastian Bach, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Collection
The prelude gallery
Licence
Public Domain
Source
mutopiaproject.org

More by Johann Sebastian Bach

  1. Prelude in C major, BWV 846Level 4, estimatedOpen to everyone
  2. Two-Part Invention No. 1 in C major, BWV 772Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
  3. Italian Concerto in F major, BWV 971: III. PrestoLevel 9, estimatedWith Maestro

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Continuous small upper notes; slower overlapping inner durations.

Practise it in PlayPiano