Before creating a time-line you will need to analyze your fugue. The following questions and techniques are intended to facilitate such an analysis. A
thorough and accurate analysis will save time and effort when you come to the time-line phase of the CD Counterpoint
Companion. This document contains many links to the anatomy of a Fugue which you might find helpful to have read first.
- How many sections are there and in which measures do these sections begin and end? Analytical Technique: look for cadences.
1. Not every cadence represents the end of a section, but every section ends in a cadence.
2. Sections typically cadence in keys that are closely related to the home key. Closely-related keys differ by no more than one sharp or flat.
3. In the context of the 18th century fugue, authentic cadences (V-I) predominate, half (?-V) and deceptive (V-vi) cadences appear less often, and plagal
cadences (IV-I) appear seldom.
4. Fugal cadences are difficult to recognize because the composer does not pause on the cadence chord; contrapuntal and harmonic motion normally continues
directly into the next section. Cadences are often elided (the cadence chord serves dual function of concluding one section and beginning the next).
- What is the function of each section? Analytical Technique: determine if the section exposes, develops, or concludes material.
1. Exposition: Analytical Technique: mark all instances where the main idea is stated or answered.
- Because the exposition exposes new material, all fugues begin with an exposition. In the sense that it consists of the subject stated and answered in
all voices, the exposition is the most predictable and form defining section of the fugue. The subject (or answer) may appear in any order, but in Bach's
fugues the bass voice will often take the last entry.
- When the subject is answered in a second voice, the first voice may continue with a countersubject. Note all instances of countersubject.
- Fugues may have more than one exposition. To qualify as an exposition the subject must appear in all voices and in the prescribed subject/answer
relationship (tonal or real). In a re-exposition, the prior subject is voiced in the same order; in a counter exposition, the prior subject is voiced in a
different order. A double exposition consists of the exposition of a second subject (triple-exposition = third subject, etc.)
2. Developmental Episode: Analytical Technique: note all instances of contrapuntal elaboration.
- Sections which elaborate upon the subject by contrapuntal means are called developmental episodes. While the primary function of a development is to
elaborate upon the subject, developments often contain statements of the fugue's subject outright, and these subjects are often answered.
- Possible contrapuntal elaborations include: augmentation/diminution, melodic inversion (contrary motion), contrapuntal inversion (double counterpoint),
pedal point, modulation, sequence, stretto, canon, simple imitation, rhythmic and melodic permutation, fragmentation (separation of the subject's head from
its tail, etc), truncation of the subject, anticipatory statements of the subject's head (false subject).
3. Concluding Sections: Analytical Technique: listen for sections which sound as if they are bringing things to a close.
- A section which concludes an interior exposition or development is called a codetta. Codettas sound as if they are appended after the structural close
of a main section. Codettas seldom last more than two or three bars.
- More common is the coda, which designates the conclusion of the entire fugue. Codas often modulate to the key of the subdominant. Codas often contain
stretti, often visit the subject one last time (usually in the bass voice), and often employ pedal point.
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Published on Kunst der Fuge with the kind permission by the Author © 1996,
Timothy A. Smith, D. M. A. Professor, Music Theory,
NAU.
The Treatise on canons and fugues
• Anatomy of a Canon
• Why Bach writes canons?
• Anatomy of a Fugue
• How to analyze a Fugue?
• Fugue Timeline
• The Art of the Fugue
Timothy A. Smith is a professor of music theory at Northern Arizona University in
Flagstaff, Arizona, USA. His web site, Canons & Fugues of J. S. Bach, is referenced, on average, over 8000 times a month
from individuals in 70 countries.
The above texts or parts of them may not be published without prior
permission of the Author.
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