Unlike the Fantasy, this fugue contains no optimistic elements.

At that time, chromatic progression was truly forbidden; it represented a distorted world and was considered taboo. Therefore, using chromatic progression within a piece, especially as a theme, can undoubtedly be interpreted as an expression of sorrow and suffering. For these reasons, the tempo should be set slowly.

Regarding this fugue, there are many theories, and it is said that it might have been discovered incomplete. However, whether Bach himself made a mistake in writing it, or not, or whatever other highly reliable reasons there may be, it is unacceptable for measure 48 to end on the submediant (A♭-C-E♭).

Even if measure 48 is correctly notated and the rest was never discovered or it ended incomplete, if one is to perform this fugue, I earnestly wish for it to conclude on the tonic. Therefore, measure 48 should end with C-E♭-C from bottom to top, not A♭-E♭-C.