Prelude (Allegretto, completed January 26, 1951)

The solemn opening of the Prelude (Allegretto, completed January 26, 1951) evokes a church-like chorus. In contrast, a humorous phrase is played over the sustained bass of the final chord. The mezzo-staccato markings and chromatic voice leading, in particular, sound ironic.

Fugue (3 voices, Moderato con moto, completed February 3, 1951)

The Fugue (3 voices, Moderato con moto, completed February 3, 1951) features a subject that sounds remarkably grotesque, including a descending augmented second formed by F♭. The unbalanced rhythm in 5/4 time, alternating between 2+3 and 3+2 phrasing, and the forte dynamics further enhance the bizarre atmosphere. The counter-subject, lacking a strong beat, imparts a distinctive rhythmic character to the entire fugue. Although this piece concludes gently over a tonic pedal in the bass, the sense of resolution at the cadence is rendered extremely ambiguous by the rhythmic character and the sonorities augmented by accidentals.