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The prelude is in concerto form with a vigorous ritornello framing a more extended concertante section. The use of the rising scale figure from the opening in the central episode as well as in the lead back to the repeat of the ritornello, gives the piece cohesion. The fugue is based on a subject with a strong melodic profile and displays a much more rigorous approach to part-writing than its predecessor. The similarity between the ends of the prelude and the fugue could be considered as the musical equivalent of a rhyme.

from notes by Stephen Westrop © 2000