Towards a formal paradigm for the Bach Cello suite preludes : a study of the history, theory, origins, and organization of Bach's Preludes to BWV 1007-1012, and implications for their performance

Introduction

Formal and historical overview of the prelude. Definition ; History from the Greeks to Bach ; History after Bach ; Conclusion

Improvisation's role in the prelude. Definition ; Compositional ramifications of improvisation ; The prelude as a distinct improvisational genre ; Conclusion

Rhetoric as an organizing principle. Definition ; Ricercare and the history of rhetoric ; The composer as orator ; Peripeteia ; Rhetoric in Bach's time ; Conclusion

Thoroughbass as a basis for composition and improvisation. The importance of thoroughbass to Bach ; Bach's use of thoroughbass in improvisational preludes ; The influence of Niedt ; The "pattern prelude" ; French manuals on improvisational preludes ; Thoroughbass reduction and source materials ; Conclusion

The dominant pedal as a feature of thoroughbass and rhetoric

"Heightened intensity" as organizing principle. Heightened intensity explained ; Heightened intensity in the Cello suite preludes ; Conclusion

Specific features in Prelude five. The Fifth suite as "French" suite ; The pairing of prelude and fugue in the Fifth suite ; Conclusion

Performance implications

Conclusion

Appendix A: The six Cello suite preludes

Appendix B: Thoroughbass reductions in conjunction with the actual music

Appendix C: Thoroughbass reductions of the six Cello suite preludes