Felix Mendelssohn ： 6 Preludes and Fugue No.2 in D-Dur MWV U Op.35-2

Pairing a prelude with a fugue, this work reflects Mendelssohn’s deep understanding of counterpoint. The prelude clearly presents the flow of the harmony and the movement of the melodic lines, while the following fugue develops in a three-dimensional way as its subject passes from one voice to another. It is important to hear both the independence of each voice and the unity of the whole. The prelude calls for a poised expression that preserves its forward motion, while the fugue requires the subject entries to stand out without allowing the inner voices to disappear. Using the pedal sparingly helps keep the texture clear and reveals the interest of the contrapuntal writing and its structure.