Prelude in F Minor, BWV 534a

The Prelude (3/4 time, 76 bars) and Fugue (a' 5, alla breve, 138 bars) probably dates from around 1716 in the Weimar period.

The Prelude is grandly declamatory with a toccata-like conclusion, and seems to be more admired than its companion fugue.

I chose to do this piece on this organ partially as a "hearing test."

As many of you know, I've been struggling with significant hearing issues (mostly with one ear) and have finally had to face the fact that what I've got is the best I can hope for, and, have been working with a special audiologist in NYC. Friday is the day that I get my special hearing aid - on a 60 day trial.

He asked me to bring some music "of my own" for the first "final" tweaking.

I chose this organ since, wonderful as it is, it is VERY direct, and more "aggressive" on the ear, partially due to the acoustic. There's no hiding in this room... ;-)

Anyway, I think this came out OK. There's one little "blip" which you wouldn't hear (maybe!) in a bigger room... ;-)

I appreciate all the care and friendship that I've received here, and feel I've made many friends. Please keep me in your thought as I try to work through this extremely difficult period in my life. :-)