Johann Sebastian Bach

Although the left hand immediately repeats the right hand's opening phrase, this turns out not to be a canonic prelude at all; the accompaniment is a sparse series of notes on the downbeats, while a bright, easygoing melody progresses through the treble. The fugal subject, which begins like a broad, three-note fanfare, makes three entrances before dissolving into free counterpoint, with a stuttering, telegraph-like countersubject finding limited use along the way in this compact fugue.