The The ArtArt (and Craft) (and Craft) of of the Fuguethe Fugue

Pop Quiz: Pop Quiz: What do the following compositions What do the following compositions

have in common?have in common?1. Handel “Hallelujah Chorus” (1742)

2. Beethoven, “Piano Sonata in A Major Op. 101, finale (1816)

3. Lady Gaga, beginning of “Bad Romance”(2009)

All 3 = FuguesAll 3 = Fugues

I. Introduction to FugueI. Introduction to Fugue

A. Fugue held continuous interest for musicians, 1600s-present

C. The Challenge=Write a piece that:

•Counterpoint is tough

•Imitative counterpoint/polyphony really tough

1. aesthetically pleasing + solves intellectual problems

B. Fugue from Latin “fugare” to chase/flee

Melody Part I Melody Part II Melody Part III

I II III IV

I II III

I II

I etc.

II. Precursors of FugueII. Precursors of Fugue

A. Renaissance Motet’s Points of Imitation

B. Instrumental Ricercar[e]

Name this bad boy, the composer, and the compositional technique

II. Precursors of FugueII. Precursors of Fugue

A. Renaissance Motet’s Points of Imitation

B. Instrumental Ricercar[e]1. Renaissance Instrumental Work in Imitative Polyphonic Texture

2. Similar to Renaissance motet (w/o text)

3. Fewer points of Imitation, = more time to “research” each idea

C. Baroque Fugue: 1. Single musical theme, the subject, explored in detail

III.III.Techniques of Higher CounterpointTechniques of Higher Counterpoint (=arsenal for musical “research”)(=arsenal for musical “research”)

A. Inversion

III. Techniques of Higher CounterpointIII. Techniques of Higher Counterpoint

C. Augmentation

B. Diminution

A. Inversion

III. Techniques of Higher CounterpointIII. Techniques of Higher Counterpoint

C. Augmentation

B. Diminution

A. Inversion

III. Techniques of Higher Counterpoint

A. Inversion

B. Diminution

C. Augmentation

D. Stretto

IV. The Structure of FugueIV. The Structure of Fugue

A. Polyphonic Composition for fixed number of “voices” (=maximum)

B. Based on a Theme called the SUBJECT

C. Begins with Exposition

D. Continues with Episode

E. Unfolds as Succession of Expositions & Episodes

G. Usually Uses One or More Techniques of Higher Counterpoint

H. Countersubjects

F. Expos. have at least 1 statement of subject

Subject___________________________________

_____________________________

Countersubject

Subject

J. S. Bach, Fugue in G minorJ. S. Bach, Fugue in G minor

Subject

So You Want to Write A Fugue?