Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor

work by Bach

Also known as: “Passacaglia in C Minor”

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Last updated

July 23, 2026

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The Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor, BWV 582, is a significant musical composition for the organ by Johann Sebastian Bach. A passacaglia is a musical form in 3/4 time, characterized by continuous variation over a repeating bass line, known as a basso ostinato. A fugue, on the other hand, is a complex contrapuntal composition where a theme is introduced by one part and then imitated by others, creating an intricate interplay of melodies. Bach masterfully combined these two forms in this work, showcasing his profound understanding of both the passacaglia's evolving variations and the fugue's imitative structure. This piece is a prime example of Bach's exploration of keyboard music, particularly for the organ, during his early career.1234

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Dietrich Buxtehude
Bach’s Passacaglia in C Minor is indebted. The preludes are usually brief, and, with one exception, they are unlike Bach’s in having no thematic connection with the fugues that follow them. Most of the harpsichord music has been lost.
Read More
Bach’s Passacaglia in C Minor is indebted. The preludes are usually brief, and, with one exception, they are unlike Bach’s in having no thematic connection with the fugues that follow them. Most of the harpsichord music has been lost.
Read More