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Baroque · prelude

Prelude No. 17 in A-flat major, BWV 862 (WTC I)

Johann Sebastian Bach · Level 7, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

A manuscript from 1722, a printed afterlife around 1800. Prelude No. 17 in A-flat major, BWV 862 (WTC I) is a prelude by Johann Sebastian Bach from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 7, an estimate.

On this page
  • prelude
  • Baroque
  • Key of A-flat major
  • grand

Also known as Das Wohltemperierte Clavier I, Praeludium XVII.

History

Prelude No. 17 in A-flat major, BWV 862 (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. A small upper gesture receives a lower answer

    A short upper gesture begins over detached lower chords, then related motion enters below. Hear the exchange before the running texture expands.

  2. Held attacks grow into running sequences

    Upper held attacks give way to linked quick notes while the lower answer changes pitch and register. Hear the line expand beyond the opening cells.

  3. Continuous lower motion supports short replies

    The lower part runs beneath upper gestures and pauses. Follow its continuity while leaving room for the shorter upper answers.

  4. Interlocking figures find an A-flat arrival

    Related figures narrow toward repeated low supports and a full A-flat fermata chord. Hear the smaller exchanges gather into the broad close.

How to practise it

Rest-led short upper figure; chord support and later imitation.

  1. Count the rest and small approach before connecting the equal eighth-note continuation.
  2. Practise the support and the later active entry as distinct jobs.

How hard is it

Level 7, estimated

Chordal gestures and running passages require contrasting touch and careful shaping of harmonic arrivals.

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

Rest-led short upper figure; chord support and later imitation.

Practise it in PlayPiano