This Praeludium in D minor is a classic five-section Buxtehude praeludium. It consists of three free toccata-like sections and two fugal sections. While in many Buxtehude praeludia only the first free toccata section is over 20 measures, all three of the free sections of this praeludium are around 20 measures in length. The middle free section also contains a brief imitative passage of about five measures which spins back into improvisatory passage work. Buxtehude often allows the second and third free toccata sections to grow organically out of the preceding fugues as he does in this praeludium. In this piece, the first fugue appears to grow spontaneously out of the preceding free passage work, as the end of the toccata section uses motivic material similar to the fugue subject. The two fugues are thematically related, the second fugue subject being a triple time variation on the first. Sometimes Buxtehude ends his praeludia with a surprise soft conclusion, but this one ends with a bang on a six-voice chord with double pedal. Another note about this piece, Sergey Prokofiev made a transcription of the Praeludium for piano.

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