Bach's Prelude in C

[SpawnChorus]

Can anyone tell me why Bach's Prelude in C sounds like it should have been written in the late 1800s / Victorian era?

I've only just realised that the piece is by Bach because it just doesn't sound like the sort of music I associate with his era. Does it sound more "modern"? Or am I just associating it with some sort of period drama / film score?

What instrument are you hearing it on? If piano that might account for it.

It may be because the arpeggios are similar to a lot of Chopin and Beethoven (esp moonlight sonata)

plus Gounod used it as the base for Ave Maria.

Yes - listening on piano! What was it originally played on? Harpsichord or summat? (Don't laugh).

SNF - yes, if I'd had to guess the composer, I'd have guessed Chopin.

It's originally from "The Well-Tempered Clavier", so a harpsichord is very likely the original instrument