<p>We’ve traveled halfway through the chromatic scale and Bach celebrates this victory with one of the more complex fugues in the collection. The subject is somber, full of half-steps and even a cross. It foreshadows the true finale at the close of all 24 pieces:</p><p>This is one of the only fugues to make strict use of the countersubject, occurring in all but one (!) appearances of the subject.</p><p>This motif, which we call the head of the countersubject, dominates all the episodic material both right side up, and upside down:</p><p><p>Got Bach?</p></p><p>The prelude contains some interesting revisions. Here is one I thought would be too subtle to hear, but I think it’s quite audible in the episode:</p><p>The latter represents a rare simplification of harmony and texture in revision.</p><p>The biggest addendum of all is the additional measures at the end of the piece. See how abruptly the early version ends:</p><p><strong>We survive </strong><strong><em>solely</em></strong><strong> on donations. Thank you for your help!</strong></p><p>We encourage our listeners to <strong><em>become a paid subscriber</em></strong>at <a target="_blank" href="http://wtfbach.substack.com">wtfbach.substack.com</a>Free subscriptions are also great for our numbers.You can also make a one-time donation here:</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach">https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach</a><a target="_blank" href="https://venmo.com/wtfbach">https://venmo.com/wtfbach</a></p><p><strong>Supporting this show ensures its longevity.</strong></p><p><strong>Concepts Covered:</strong></p><p>J.S. Bach’s Well Tempered Clavier, Tuning, Revisions, Early verisions. The f minor prelude and fugue BWV 857, with its countersubject, analysis and study. Organ and harpsichord performances, Chromaticism, tone-rows, </p> <br/><br/>Get full access to W.T.F. Bach? at <a href="https://wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe</a>