Geoffrey Thomas

Below is my provisional attempt to assign a meaning or affect to each of the preludes and fugues in the Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I by Johann Sebastian Bach. I believe every player must make these decisions and I would expect that any player who does would argue with my interpretations. What I do not believe is debatable is the necessity of making these kinds of decisions. You must decide what the music means. You may very well change your mind many times, but you must make some kind of decision. About that, there should be no argument.

C Major Prelude: Mystical expectation, slightly breathless
C Major Fugue: Confidant, filled with ideas
C Minor Prelude: Nervous agitation, irritation, volcanic undercurrents
C Minor Fugue: Insistent, agile
C# Major Prelude: Excitement, anticipation, laughter, gossip
C# Major Fugue: Leaping, confidant, exploring new ideas
C# Minor Prelude: Profound weariness, seeking answers and consolation
C# Minor Fugue: Implacable fate
D Major Prelude: Laughter, amusement, high spirits
D Major Fugue: Glory, honor, pride, tenderness
D Minor Prelude: Turbulent agitation, pressing on despite fear
D Minor Fugue: Determined to overcome tribulations
Eb Major Prelude: Wonder, admiration, soaring speculation
Eb Major Fugue: I’m wondering if…
Eb Minor Prelude: Lament for the loss of one greatly loved
Eb Minor Fugue: Seeker after ecstatic truth
E Major Prelude: Summer afternoon in shade with a mother’s song
E Major Fugue: Scurrying excitement
E Minor Prelude: Recurrent unease, insistent
E Minor Fugue: Surging night flight
F Major Prelude: Bubbly, childlike enthusiasm
F Major Fugue: Buoyant self-confidence with swing and insouciance
F Minor Prelude: Bitter regret
F Minor Fugue: The struggle to overcome defeat and futile resignation
F# Major Prelude: Fantasy -filled speculation
F# Major Fugue: Proposing a new idea with enthusiasm
F# Minor Prelude: My troubles surround me
F# Minor Fugue: Where shall I turn?
G Major Prelude: Exuberant enthusiasm, childish delight
G Major Fugue: Enthusiastic celebration of triumph over difficulties
G Minor Prelude: Agitation and distress of disappointment
G Minor Fugue: Great internal tension, repeated nagging questions
Ab Major Prelude: Young man delights in prancing before a girl
Ab Major Fugue: Acceptance with the strength of grace despite questions
G# Minor Prelude: Sorrowful inquiry tinged with bitterness
G# Minor Fugue: Warning
A Major Prelude: Fondly-recalled love
A Major Fugue: The prankster
A Minor Prelude: Bold and indomitable
A Minor Fugue: Determined to examine all sides of a dilemma
Bb Major Prelude: Children chasing around the house
Bb Major Fugue: Cheeky amusements
Bb Minor Prelude: Siberian death march
Bb Minor Fugue: Despair and denial
B Major Prelude: Loving encouragement
B Major Fugue: Resolute assertion of purpose
B Minor Prelude: Pressing onward filled with searching questions.
B Minor Fugue: Why these agonies