[small correction and added note]

> Am 11.01.2017 um 14:50 schrieb dc <[log in to unmask]>:

> A couple of further questions:

> - Are there other pieces than the A fugue [BWV 888] that exceed a four-octave compass?

The fugue in a (BWV 889 doubles the a in the final chord: contra-A.
Prelude in B (BWV 892) has two contra-B, one as the aim of a cadence, one in the final chord.
And Fugue b minor (BWV 893) one contra-B, in the final chord.

Seems like that C-c3 is still the standard compass even in WTC 2, and that the four examples are exceptions.

I find it interesting that only the pieces in A major or minor  and B major or minor have each basic key doubled. In all the cases the note could be taken simply one octave higher without damaging the piece.
I could think of a number of practical reasons why the notes in the contra-octave occur in this way, – especially because of copying – but without evidence I would not want to draw conclusions from the mere fact.

Interesting also that  the Fugue in a (BVW 865) from WTC 1 requires a pedal or a third hand at least in the three last bars: The organ point of four and a half bars (does that say something about the tempo?) can neither be held nor can the note be struck again by just one player in order to sound through the final bar.

Kind regards

Ibo





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