Prelude and Fugue in D-sharp minor, WTC II
About this arrangement
This is No. 8 in Book 2 of the Well-Tempered Clavier, compiled around 1742 in Leipzig. Mozart transcribed the fugue for string ensemble.
Play the prelude first, one half at a time, since each half is repeated. In the fugue, learn the subject alone, then add one voice at a time. Loop the dense bars at 50% and read the sharps carefully.
Start with short loops.
Use the section list as a practice map. Start at 50% tempo, loop one section, then return to the full piece once the hand shape feels stable.
Choose Right or Left to focus on one hand. Wait for note checks the highlighted notes as you play them on the screen or a connected MIDI keyboard.
Before you practice.
01 How hard is Bach's Prelude and Fugue in D-sharp minor, BWV 877?
It is advanced. Six sharps and a contrapuntal fugue make it demanding to read and to play.
02 How long is BWV 877?
Our score writes out the prelude's repeats, so it has 72 bars of prelude and 46 bars of fugue, 118 in total. Printed with repeat signs, the prelude is 36 bars.
03 What should I practise first?
Start with the prelude, one half at a time. Then learn the fugue subject on its own.
04 Did anyone arrange the D-sharp minor fugue?
Yes. Mozart transcribed it for string ensemble, along with several other fugues from the collection.