Prelude and Fugue in E minor, BWV 548

History#

The autograph manuscript, along with that of the Prelude and Fugue in B minor, BWV 544, which is believed to have been written around the same time, share the same watermark and style of handwriting, which points to a composition period of 1727-1731.

Prelude#

The prelude’s massive structure is considered to be one of the most intricate in the genre. with the homophonic opening theme reoccurring between various polyphonic, episodic sequences.

Fugue#

The subtitle of the work, commonly referred to as “The Wedge”, refers to the first half of the fugue subject, which opens up as a sort of widening, chromatic wedge around the tonic point. The fugue, clocking at 231 measures, is among Bach’s longest and most elaborate organ fugues. The movement is unique in that it is in a three-part structure, with the third da capo section being a note-for-note reprise of the first. The second section suddenly thrusts the piece into an over-one-hundred measure episode of rapid, toccata-like passages of great virtuosity, with the cascading passagework occasionally giving way to the subject.

Reception#

Albert Schweitzer described both movements as being “so mighty in design, and have so much harshness blended with their power, that the hearer can only grasp them after several hearings.” Philipp Spitta referred to the work as a “two-movement symphony”, commenting on the work’s “life energy” and the “extreme daring” nature of the fugue subject. Peter Williams attributed the work’s “riveting power” to the “easily felt balance between the two movements.”

Piano Transcriptions#

The piece has been included in Franz Liszt’s transcriptions of Bach’s six “Great” organ Preludes and Fugues, BWV 543 - 548, for solo piano (S. 462). The piece was also transcribed by Ivan Karlovitsch Tscherlitzky as well as by Samuil Feinberg

Bach Trios Arrangements#

The piece has been arranged for mandolin, cello and double bass, and performed by Chris Thile, Yo Yo Ma, and Edgar Meyer respectively for their 2017 album “Bach Trios,” released by Nonesuch Records.

Works cited#

• Williams, Peter (1980), The Organ Music of J. S. Bach: Volume 1, Preludes, Toccatas, Fantasias, Fugues, Sonatas, Concertos and Miscellaneous PiecesCambridge University Press,
• Williams, Peter (2003), The Organ Music of J. S. Bach (2nd ed.), Cambridge University Press,
• Jones, Richard D.P. (2013), The Creative Development of Johann Sebastian Bach, Volume II: 1717–1750: Music to Delight the Spirit. Oxford University Press,
• Schweitzer, Albert (1935). J.S. Bach, Vol. 1 London: A.C. & Black

External links#

• Prelude and Fugue in E minor, BWV 548 autograph facsimile at International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP).
• Video recording of Robert Smith’s performance on the 1730 Gottfried Silbermann organ at the St.-Georgen-Kirche, Glauchau, Germany
• Free download of BWV 548 recorded by James Kibbie on the 1755 Gottfried Silbermann/Zacharias Hildebrandt organ in the Katholische Hofkirche, Dresden, Germany
• Prelude and Fugue in E minor, BWV 548 description at Netherlands Bach Society