The Six Little Preludes (BWV 933-938) are a group of preludes written by the composer Johann Sebastian Bach for harpsichord. They are all short, pedagogical efforts written in or around the period of 1717-1720, but they were not published until 1802. These pieces are all short pieces that require a strong understanding of technique.[1] This is one of a series of 18 preludes Bach sporadically produced around 1717-1720, primarily for instructive purposes, and were not intended for performance.[1]
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The C major prelude consists of two brief sections, repeated as a pair, followed by a variation on each section, again repeated as a pair.[1] The first segment demands complete independence of the right and left hands, with the left hand providing a busy accompaniment.[1] The bass material becomes more rudimentary in the second segment, as the treble indulges in hyperactive passagework.[1] The variation half of this prelude makes minimal changes to the basic material, mainly brightening it by lifting the slightly altered melody into a higher register.[1]
This C minor effort is similar to a minuet, but it is a bit more complex than it sounds.[1] It features a lively theme whose accompanying leaps and long-breathed, angular manner impart a delightful sense of color through the adventurous twists and turns.[1] The theme and second subject are played through twice and vary considerably on their third appearance.[1] This piece generally lasts just over a minute.[1]
Game composer Mike Morasky created a remixed version of this prelude named "Machiavellian Bach" that features in the Portal 2 soundtrack; however this version has been transposed into F minor.
The Little Prelude in D minor contains features that are similar to a two-part invention.[1] This work generally lasts about a minute and a half.[1]
This Prelude has features associated with a trio sonata: it contains two upper lines and a roving bass part underpinning them.[1] The work opens with a lively theme.[1] It is played through twice, then varied on its third appearance, showing much development.[1]
This E major Prelude follows a left hand staccato pattern which the right hand then follows along with. Which is why this is a common Bach pattern to drop by. Unlike, Prelude in E minor, this song is interpreting a more lively scenario indicating that it is major. Though Bach's frequently used mordents aren't as common in this beautiful prelude.
This E minor prelude contains features similar to the composer's inventions.[1] Bach follows a pattern used in many of the pieces in the set, in presenting the main thematic material twice in more or less the same form, then developing it.[1] This piece is approximately one-and-a-half minutes long.