Performance Record of J.S. Bach – Fugue in F-Sharp Major, BWV 858

A performance record of J.S. Bach’s Fugue in F-Sharp Major (BWV 858), recorded in March 2025 by Reiji at age 9. This performance captures Reiji’s interpretation of the piece as a scene of “angels dancing in heaven,” contrasting with the prelude’s “ascent to heaven.” With a rich resonance in the 15th–25th overtone range and carefully shaped harmonic transitions, the fugue is played with attention to both overtone clarity and delicate pedal control. A unique modulation to B major and its dramatic return adds depth to this highly poetic reading.

Reiji's Observations

• In the prelude, I imagined it like climbing a staircase to heaven, but in the fugue, I felt like I had reached heaven and angels were dancing all around.
• The bass has this strong resonance, and just like in the prelude, the overtones in the 15th to 25th range ring really clearly, without much interference. So I tried to bring those out as much as I could.
• But in the more delicate parts—like when I imagined the angels dancing—I didn’t use much pedal on purpose, to keep it light and floating.
• The harmony goes from F♯ major to C♯ major, then to A♯ minor and D♯ minor. Then it comes back to F♯ major after a bunch of dominants, goes to E major, then suddenly to B major—it felt like a trick or a feint. That part stood out to me.
• Right after that fake-out to B major, it goes to G♯ minor and then returns home to F♯ major. I thought that whole part was especially brilliant, and I wanted to make sure that little surprise modulation really popped out.

* These are personal reflections by the performer.