The Fugue No. 1 in C Major, BWV 846, is the opening fugue of Johann Sebastian Bach's monumental Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, completed around 1722. Paired with the famous C Major Prelude (often used in arrangements such as Gounod's Ave Maria), this fugue serves as the gateway to one of the most important collections in keyboard music history.
Written in four voices, the fugue presents a stately, elegant subject that unfolds with remarkable clarity and balance. The subject's compact, stepwise motion and rhythmic simplicity make it an ideal introduction to fugal writing, yet Bach's contrapuntal mastery ensures a rich and satisfying musical experience. The interplay of voices creates a texture that is both intellectually rigorous and aurally beautiful.
As the first piece in the collection that systematically explores all 24 major and minor keys, this fugue embodies Bach's pedagogical vision while demonstrating that technical exercise and artistic expression are inseparable.
Composed in
1722
Catalog
BWV 846
Source
Public Domain
