Praeludium & Fuga in a-Moll (BWV 543)

The Prelude and Fugue in A minor was likely composed during the end of Bach’s time in Weimar (1716-1717), and features a toccata-like Prelude that combines influences from the North German writing of Buxtehude and the Italian concerto school.

The lilting Fugue is undergirded by a muscular sense of rhythmic vitality, with plenty of challenges for the performer to maintain the energetic dance in both hands and feet. The fugue drives to a dramatic closing cadenza where the contrapuntal material dissolves into a frenzied virtuosic flourish, capped off by three victorious final crashing chords.

1997 Rudolf Janke organ from the Evangelische Stadtkirche, Bückeburg, recorded by Sonus Paradisi.