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Baroque · fugue

Fugue in C major, BWV 870 (Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II)

Johann Sebastian Bach · Level 7, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

Fugue in C major, BWV 870 (Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II) is a fugue by Johann Sebastian Bach from the Baroque era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 7, an estimate.

On this page
  • fugue
  • Baroque
  • playful

Also known as Bach: Fugue in C major BWV 870.

History

The C-major fugue opens Book II of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier alongside its companion prelude. Bach's surviving manuscript labels this fugue Fuga à 3: three musical voices take turns carrying its subject. This playable score contains the fugue alone, so listen for those lines without expecting the companion prelude to follow.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. An opening contour without lower support

    The opening contour sounds while the lower staff rests. Hear its shape clearly before later related entries thicken the texture.

  2. A higher entry develops through sequences

    The higher entry leads into rising-register sequences. Follow its related shape as the placement and surrounding motion change.

  3. The opening returns above held support

    Opening-related material returns in writing above lower support. Recognise the contour without expecting every layer to duplicate the first entry.

  4. Low C supports the final response

    Low C support carries a rising response toward the last chord. Hear the foundation continue through the upper movement.

How to practise it

Keep the exposed opening rhythm crisp and unhurried.

  1. Count the rest aloud before playing the four-note group.
  2. Practise the small pair into its arrival without speeding the whole measure.
  3. Connect the examined phrase at a comfortable tempo while keeping its stated layers and releases distinct.

How hard is it

Level 7, estimated

After the exposed opening, several independent lines combine short-note motion with longer tied tones. Native measures 12, 20 and 60 encode three active voice/staff groups; measure 40 distributes moving and tied notes across both staves. Maintaining distinct articulation and phrase direction while coordinating these textures motivates an advanced-intermediate browsing estimate.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Johann Sebastian Bach, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Licence
CC0
Source
musescore.com

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

Keep the exposed opening rhythm crisp and unhurried.

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