Das Wohltemperierte Clavier I, Fuga III

Description

Seven sharps: this fugue is in C-sharp major, a key rarely used in keyboard music, and its light subject runs brightly through three voices. It is No. 3 of Book I of The Well-Tempered Clavier, the 1722 collection of preludes and fugues in all twenty-four keys, and it shows the aim of writing in every key more clearly than any other piece in the book.

It is a three-voice fugue in C-sharp major and 4/4. The subject is light, and it runs brightly about as it is handed among the three voices. With 1,387 notes in 140 seconds its density is high among the Book I fugues here. The range runs from C#2 to C6 and fits on a 61-key keyboard. Because the pattern of white and black keys differs so much from other keys, the fingering has to be built in its own way.

It is rated advanced. Besides reading seven sharps, it asks for nimble fingers to keep three voices even at a light, quick tempo. Start with the playback speed lowered a long way and check the accidentals and subject entries in the score view. On a layout this heavy in black keys the hands shift position often, so decide the fingering while checking the division between the hands with the hand colours. Isolate the hard spots with an A-B loop and bring the speed back gradually.

Bach's collection of preludes and fugues for keyboard, covering all 24 keys and regarded as the summit of contrapuntal writing.