Clara Schumann: Prelude and Fugue in f sharp minor Clara Schumann, according to the manuscript that I have found online, composed this piece in 1845. I did not find any literature about this specific work of hers, despite this was not the first time when Schumann composed piano pieces in this genre. Her set of three preludes and fugues (Op. 16) was published in the same year. Strangely, the Prelude and Fugue in f sharp minor was only published in 2015.
This prelude and fugue is another Romantic era echo of Bach’s music, though composed in a more conservative character than Mendelssohn’s piece from my previous post. The prelude begins (and stays) in a heartfelt atmosphere, contrasting with the rational and well planned manners of the fugue. Both movements end on an F sharp major chord.
My favourite recording of this piece is from 2001, by Jozef De Beenhouwer (born 1948), who is a Belgian pianist, musicologist and teacher.
Noémi Baki-Szmaler, guest editor, @une-barque-sur-l-ocean
