Prelude (Moderato non troppo, completed November 30, 1950)

The overall structure, featuring a solemn octave theme presentation and a high-register response, resembles the Prelude No. 3 in G major, likewise evoking a responsive chorus. Here, the repeated notes and rests interspersed after each response replace the majestic bell sounds of the previous prelude. The unsettling chromatic figures in the middle section are instantly negated by the return of the main theme, leading to a quiet conclusion with a gradual decrease in tempo.

Fugue (2 voices, Allegro, completed December 1, 1950)

In contrast, the lively-themed Fugue (2 voices, Allegro, completed December 1, 1950) is the only two-voice fugue in the collection. While both the subject and countersubject are relatively simple, Shostakovich's masterful contrapuntal technique and rhythmic treatment result in a remarkably rich sound.