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Play — JS Bach: Prelude and Fugue in A Minor BWV 551 - Marie-Claire Alain, 1958 - MHS 748 · davidhertzberg (the player loads on click)
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Estimated from our difficulty score, not taken from an exam syllabus. Checked against 333 works on the ABRSM syllabus: the exact grade is right 7 times out of 10, and within one grade 99 times out of 100.
Difficulty estimate by MusicCoach on a scale of 1 to 100.
Most works cluster between 45 and 65: a small score gap often marks a real step. The highlighted bar shows this work among those for the same instrument.
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This prelude and fugue projects a restrained, contemplative mood, built on recurring figures and tight contrapuntal weaving that calls for concentration rather than flashy display. You will need to focus on "Polyphonie à trois voix ou plus (4.4/5)", meaning clear independence and balance of lines so each voice remains audible without overpowering the others, and on "Legato (3.3/5)", which requires clean connections between notes even when phrases are split between the hands (finger substitutions, secure holds and hand‑breathing). Typical of the Baroque period, the piece belongs within Bach’s extensive keyboard output and showcases his command of counterpoint and fugal form. I do not give a recommended recording here to avoid risking an imprecise reference.