page_title: Prelude and Fugue in C-sharp minor, BWV 849
section_title: Prelude
hierarchical_section_title: Prelude and Fugue in C-sharp minor, BWV 849 / Prelude
caption_attribution_description: English: The first two bars of Bach's Prelude in C# minor, BWV 849
context_page_description: The Prelude and Fugue in C-sharp minor, BWV 849, is a pair of keyboard compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach. It is the fourth prelude and fugue in the first book of The Well-Tempered Clavier, a series of 48 preludes and fugues by the composer.
context_section_description: The solemn and expressive, recitative character of the melody is reminiscent of Bach's passion music. A direct relationship between the prelude and its fugue, while not readily apparent, is hinted in the long-held durations of the bass in the first ten measures.  If one omits the bass pitches of measures 4–7, what remains of measures 1–10 are the pitches C♯, B♯, E, D♯, C♯ of the fugue's subject.  The prelude's most memorable motif is an ascending octave leap, which is heard throughout the piece
caption: Prelude theme    Prelude performed on the piano:  by Martha Goldstein   by Kimiko Ishizaka
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