The Preludio movement is a wild flourish that is structured around a series of bell-like chords based on the Bromage motto. Triadic in nature, these chords become gradually more discordant over time. In between these increasingly sour signposts is fast toccata-like writing with a syncopated bass line. As a climax is reached, the B-A-C-H motto appears, and the piece explodes in a series of explosive cascading runs and then ends in quiet octaves reiterating the Bromage motto.