Composer

:

Felix Mendelssohn

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Fugue

Compose Date

:

Dec 21, 1832 - Dec 8, 1836

Publication Date

:

1837

Average_duration

:

5:26

Felix Mendelssohn's Prelude & Fugue for piano in B minor, Op. 35/3, was composed in 1837 and premiered in Leipzig the same year. The piece is part of a set of six preludes and fugues that Mendelssohn composed for piano, which were inspired by the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. The Prelude & Fugue in B minor is the third piece in the set and is characterized by its dark and brooding tone. The prelude begins with a slow and melancholic melody that is played in the left hand, while the right hand provides a delicate accompaniment. The melody gradually builds in intensity, with the right hand taking over the main theme and the left hand providing a more complex accompaniment. The prelude ends with a quiet and introspective coda. The fugue that follows is a complex and intricate piece that showcases Mendelssohn's skill as a composer. The fugue subject is introduced in the right hand and is then imitated by the left hand. The two voices then engage in a lively and intricate dialogue, with the subject being developed and transformed in various ways. The fugue reaches its climax with a powerful and virtuosic section that features rapid runs and arpeggios. The piece ends with a triumphant coda that brings the fugue to a close. Overall, Mendelssohn's Prelude & Fugue in B minor is a masterful work that showcases his skill as a composer and his deep admiration for the music of Bach. The piece is characterized by its dark and brooding tone, intricate counterpoint, and virtuosic piano writing. It remains a popular work in the piano repertoire and is frequently performed and recorded.

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