Composer

:

Dmitry Shostakovich

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Fugue

Compose Date

:

1950 - 1951

Average_duration

:

4:14

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

Dmitry Shostakovich's Prelude & Fugue No. 21 in B flat major, Op. 87/21, was composed in 1951 and premiered on December 23 of the same year in Moscow. The piece is part of a set of 24 preludes and fugues, one in each major and minor key, that Shostakovich composed between 1950 and 1951. The set is often compared to Johann Sebastian Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier, which also consists of 24 preludes and fugues. The Prelude & Fugue No. 21 in B flat major is divided into two movements, as is typical of a prelude and fugue. The prelude is marked Allegretto and is in a lively 6/8 time signature. It begins with a playful and rhythmic melody in the right hand, accompanied by a simple chord progression in the left hand. The melody is then repeated in the left hand, while the right hand plays a new, more complex melody. The two melodies are then combined in a lively and energetic conclusion. The fugue is marked Moderato con moto and is in a more serious and contemplative mood than the prelude. It begins with a simple theme in the right hand, which is then repeated in the left hand. The theme is then developed and expanded upon, with new voices entering and interacting with each other. The fugue reaches a climax with a powerful and dissonant chord progression, before resolving back to the original theme and concluding with a quiet and introspective coda. Overall, the Prelude & Fugue No. 21 in B flat major is a masterful example of Shostakovich's skill in combining traditional forms with his own unique style. The prelude is lively and playful, while the fugue is more serious and contemplative, creating a sense of balance and contrast between the two movements. The piece also showcases Shostakovich's use of complex harmonies and dissonances, as well as his ability to create intricate and interweaving melodies.

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