Prelude (Allegretto, completed January 15, 1951) begins with a simple melody and arpeggiated chords, with the melody exchanged between the soprano and bass voices. The middle section features a striking dactylic rhythm (long-short-short), imbued with a playful yet shadowed expression. Upon recapitulation, the theme is ornamented by notes a parallel minor third below, creating a peculiar sonic effect.

Fugue (4 voices, Allegretto, completed January 21, 1951): The subject is light-hearted, oscillating between the Lydian and Ionian modes, creating a somewhat humorous and folk-like atmosphere. In accordance with the subject's structure, the entire 5/4 piece is permeated by a 2+3 metric structure, conveying a sense of rhythmic balance. An overall cheerful mood prevails, and Shostakovich's contrapuntal mastery is fully displayed, as seen in the use of inversion and augmentation in the latter half of the piece.