Daniels-+Fugue

BAROQUE PERIOD FUGUE By: Olivia Daniels - Fugue Basics: Ø ** Fugue: ** An imitative //polyphonic// composition in which a theme or themes are stated successively in all of the voices of the //contrapuntal// structure · ** Polyphony ** : Music with two or more independent melodic parts sounded together · ** Contrapuntal ** : Displaying counterpoint o Counterpoint: The technique of combining two or more melodic lines in such a way that they establish a harmonic relationship while retaining their linear individuality Ø Typically written for a group of instruments such as organs or harpsichords Ø Considered the purest form of counterpoint Ø Fugue- derived from latin word ‘fuga’, meaning ‘flight’ Ø Includes three or four voices – soprano, alto, tenor, bass

- Fugal Structure: Ø Piece of music is centred on one main theme – the **//subject//** · ** Subject ** : The theme that is first stated by a solo voice without accompaniment · Fugues tend to begin with the subject stated in a single, unaccompanied voice to identify the subject to the listeners. Ø Throughout a fugue, different melodic lines or voices imitate the subject. The subject can be imitated in several ways: · ** Inversion ** : When the subject is turned upside down. · ** Retrograde ** : Where the music is flipped back to front, front to back · ** Augmentation: ** When the time values of the notes are lengthened · ** Diminution: ** When the time values are diminished. Ø Typically, once the subject is complete, another voice joins the piece as an **//answer//** · ** Answer: ** The second voice that states the subject a fifth higher Ø Any number of voices can leave or enter the fugue. When joining the piece, the voice restates the subject. Ø The subject remains relatively the same throughout the piece, but is shifted to different keys or combined with different melodic or rhythmic lines Ø Often, when a new voice enters and states the subject, a preexisting voice will engage in a **//countersubject//** · ** Countersubject: ** A different melodic idea that opposes the subject. It may be stated with the subject. Ø When all voices have entered (called the //exposition)//, the piece moves into a passage of free counterpoint, called an **//episode//** · ** Episodes: ** Short transitional section between presentations of the subject. Ø Following this, the fugue will usually return to the original pattern of entering voices (called the //second exposition, third exposition// etc…). Ø Other possible characteristics of a fugue (often used to end the piece): · ** Stretto: ** When the subject is imitated before it has been fully completed. · ** Pedal point: ** A single tone (typically in the base) while others produce a series of changing harmonies

// The simplicity of the fugue is what makes it sophisticated, and what makes it a key artistic tool popular among composers of the baroque period. //

Examples:

media type="youtube" key="pVadl4ocX0M" height="307" width="384"Pay close attention to what the subject line looks like, and notice how it is imitated. Also notice the use of countersubjects, pedal point and stretto.

media type="youtube" key="ipzR9bhei_o" height="307" width="384" Please watch from 2:51 – 5:20 aprx. - Notice the use of inversion at 3: 3 0 -Note the countersubject around 3:53, after voice number 4 enters - Note that an episode begins at approximately 4:05 and lasts to 4:54, when another exposition begins

Refrences:

Author unknown (n.d.). //The Different Genres of Baroque Music.// Retrieved April 2010, from []

Author unknown (n.d.). //Fugue.// Retrieved April 2010, from []

Estrella, Espie. (2010). //The Fugue – The Baroque Fugue.// Retrieved April 2010, from []