I just finished playing the P&F no. 22 in Bb minor, BWV 891, from WTCII. Readers may recall that I adore the P&F no. 22 in Bb minor from WTCI.
Not so much 22 from WTCII. Is it Bach or is it me? (Maybe don’t answer that.) These are two long pieces — both the prelude and the fugue are four pages, and they go on. And on. I can’t catch the musical idea. Where is the compelling line? Why don’t I remember anyone playing this, including me? By the time I pulled into the ending — which nicely stated the subject neatly in all four voices in four measures (see the similar feat in 22 from WTCI, but in five voices, and written so tenderly and affectingly) –thinking, yes, but what? Where did this prelude and/or fugue take me?
Why didn’t Bach just stand up and say, whoa, enough of that one, let’s go have lunch.