Michael Houstoun in recital at the University of Auckland Music Theatre performs the Preludes and Fugues Nos 1-12 of Book 2 of The Well-Tempered Clavier by Bach
As Michael Houstoun has explained, preparing to play the 48 preludes and 48 fugues involves a very deep delving into the essential character of each one. This has led him to giving them all short descriptions - or 'pseudo-titles', as he calls them. He offers these as a possible spur to a listener's imagination but stresses that they need not be taken as definitive or even too seriously. With his kind permission, we give them here.
Book Two
C major
Prelude: The Universe as a Temple
Fugue: Invitation to Joy (birthright)
C minor
Prelude: The dark wheel spins
Fugue: Unhappy resignation
C sharp major
Prelude: Invisible aria
Fugue: Rustic dance, jollity
C sharp minor
Prelude: Sorrow as Consolation
Fugue: Whirling
D major
Prelude: Processional
Fugue: Alms giving
D minor
Prelude: Vehement imprecations
Fugue: What goes up...
E flat major
Prelude: Regal elegance
Fugue: Affirmation (Beethoven)
D sharp minor
Prelude: Agreeing to disagree
Fugue: Hopes are dashed
E major
Prelude: Angelic benediction
Fugue: Holy, holy, holy
E minor
Prelude: The edge of hysteria
Fugue: Bravado
F major
Prelude: Organ playing in the empty cathedral
Fugue: Dance of smiles
F minor
Prelude: Private droplets
Fugue: Stern warning
Recorded by RNZ Concert in the University of Auckland Music Theatre, May 2017
Producer/Engineer: Tim Dodd
