J.S. Bach Prelude and Fugue in C Sharp Minor

Johann Sebastian Bach is sometimes described as the god of music. It's ironic that he felt that he would soon be forgotten; a mere footnote in musical history. As he grew old his sons' music became more and more fashionable and the interest in his complex pieces declined. It is in fugue that J.S. Bach excelled. This word comes from the Latin meaning flight. Fugues were originally vocal pieces and thus are split into lines or voices. Each line is a song and the melodies blend to form a musically harmonious whole. It is a very learned form of music and in less able hands can often be as dry as dust. But in J.S. Bach's hands the music is a volcano of passion and emotion. When listening to the fugal themes of lesser composers he would often predict to his companions which compositional devices would be used. As one by one these predictions came true he would nudge his friends with a broad grin on his face.