Prelude and Fugue in Bb minor

Bach's Prelude and Fugue No. 22 in B flat minor (BWV 867) comes near the end of the Well-Tempered Clavier. Throughout the collection, Bach explores all 24 major and minor keys, each of which comes with its distinct atmosphere. B flat minor, with its five flats, exudes a darkly-veiled warmth and melancholy. The prelude is filled with a sense of deep longing. From the opening bars, you can hear the wrenching, dissonant tension in the harmony. This is followed by a rare five-voice fugue. The voices seem to pile on top of each other, bringing this sublime, contrapuntal drama to a close.