Präludium und Fuge Des-Dur op.13 Nr.03

Prelude and Fugue in D-flat major, Op. 13 No. 3

The third work of The Well-Tempered Organ II is, quite logically, in D-flat major — a somewhat more demanding key for the organ, but one that comes across very convincingly on the well-tempered Noeske organ in Kassel-Niederzwehren.

The Prelude is comparatively compact and introduces the sound world of the piece with lively, densely woven movement. This time, the larger span belongs to the four-part Fugue.

Its subject is developed increasingly through contrapuntal techniques: first in its original form, later in inversion, then in retrograde, and finally in stretto, leading into the extended coda. These stages are even explicitly marked in the score.

The Fugue therefore draws its effect less from outward display than from the consistent development of its thematic material, while also making deliberate use of the special colour of D-flat major and the organ’s well-tempered tuning.