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| Click the title page below to see a sample score |
| Click below to hear a sample recording of Prelude. |
| This piece is the first of three movements to the suite for lute, Prelude, Fugue and Allegro (BWV998). It was likely written in the early 1740’s which places it in the last decade of Bach’s life. It is interesting to note that in addition to his virtuosity on the keyboard, Bach was also an accomplished lutenist. He also maintained a friendship with Sylvius Leopold Weiss, the most renowned German lutenist of the day. Prelude is written in a linear method that creates harmonies from the arpeggio structure. To aid in the creation of these harmonies, the arranger has added LV markings to create a quasi-chordal sonority to this linear piece. Also, to help generate a string- like pulse effect, the arranger has indicated special instructions as to the performance of the bass line. |
