Prelude and Fugue in B-flat Major, BWV 560 (Eight Little Preludes and Fugues, No. 8)

For a long time, I've been thinking about "redoing" these. I have played most of them for quite a long time.

I'll be using the splendid 1787 Hohlzey organ of the Abbey Church of St. Peter and Paul in Weissenau, produced by Prospectum.

I can't understand why we don't hear more of this organ, but I do recommend it. To read my 2016 sample set review, you can find it on "The Barde" (top of the page).

Scholars have long wondered just who wrote these lovely pieces. J. S. Bach is usually the "attributed" composer, but many scholars now tell us that they may be the work of Johann Tobias Krebs (1680-1762) or of his son, Johann Ludwig (1713-1780).

I will leave that question unanswered... :-)

The eighth and finally one in B-flat major is a wonderful conclusion to the entire set. I can't help but be reminded somewhat of Handelian overture.

I play the prelude in a "strict" manner, hoping to bring out the grand ceremonial, rather than making it a silly, rushed whirl of noise. The wonderful pedal solo maintains the energy, and I've tried to make sure that the phrasing is maintained throughout.

The fugue changed meter, but it seems to grow directly out of the prelude, and I've tried to present that in my manner of performance.

The registration throughout this piece is essentially on the "full organ," the only addition and subtractions being the adding or removal of the HW to Pedal coupler.

This piece sounds ideal on this organ. :-)

I've thought of this set of eight as one, complete entity, so, I am seeking as much variety of sounds and colors as possible, keeping in mind the requirements for each piece. I'm also trying to use the instrument "historically," using nothing that is not available on the actual organ.

The excellent, clean score is attached below.

I hope you've enjoyed this "quick tour" of the "big" Eight Little Preludes and Fugues!

It was a joy for me to have a chance of doing these again, and I THANK YOU for listening!