SOPP350: Two recent developments have made me feel ready for my first Bach Prelude and/or Fugue

Published: Dec. 6, 2018, 12:43 p.m.

This question was sent by Leon. And he writes:\n\nDear Vidas:\n\nTwo recent developments have made me feel ready for my first Bach Prelude and/or Fugue.\nLast week I learned about the great but shunned French organist Charles Quef. I tried his little fugue and was able to do it slightly less than half speed with fewer than three mistakes per system. After that, I wrote to my contrebombarde friend who played a Quef/Faur\xe9 piece, which Bach pieces he'd suggest. He was very busy with Armistice 100th anniversary uploads, so I asked him to wait to answer. Got it today.\nAnd this week, I returned to trying the Dupr\xe9 79 Chorales, which I had not done since April. I was able to sight-read from where I'd been stuck for many months at #69, to #55 to find one that would require more than a little work.\nSo, based on that, which of David E. Lamb's suggestions would you support, or offer others?\nFugue in G Major, BWV 576 (might not be Bach)\nFantasia and Fugue in C Minor, BWV 537\nPrelude and Fugue in G minor, BWV 535\nPrelude and Fugue in C Major, BWV 545 (NOBODY plays the pedal trills in the Prelude)\nHe added that the G minor is seldom played; the C major a lot; the C minor being popular, but still not played that often.\nI know I have not been able to afford your course to deserve this kind of answer, but I'm hoping for your grace.\nPeace,\nLeon