Bach: Toccata and Fugue in d-minor, BWV 538
Alejandro D. Consolacion II, organ
1978 C.B. Fisk, Westminster Choir College
The influence of the Italian concerto is evident in this freely composed Toccata, where alternations between the main Werk and Rückpositiv are clearly indicated. The animated dialogue that results from these manual changes is heightened by incessant semiquaver movement and harmonic modulations produced by numerous sequences. The following Fugue presents a sudden change of mood and texture. Like the F-Major Fugue discussed above, it contains aspects of the alla breve style: 2/2 meter, contrapuntal complexity, and frequent harmonic suspensions. This is one of Bach's longest and most intricate organ fugues, with two counter-subjects and canonic writing in the episodes separating the subject entries. Despite this contrapuntal emphasis, there are many striking harmonic passages which I have tried to accentuate with an exceptionally full registration.
