Art of the Fugue 2010 JS Bach revisited
Stephen Gislason arranger and performer on synthesizers.
The Art of the Fugue is a collection of Johann Sebastian
Bach' last compositions.
His son, Carl, published the work in 1751, still incomplete. One theme is
developed through contrapuntal variations.
Much speculation and controversy has arisen as musicologists analyzed the
pieces. The last fugue 14 has been of special interest as presumably the last
music that Bach wrote and because his hand written score is unfinished at bar
239. His son Carl wrote on the score:" At the point where the
composer introduces the name BACH (B♭-A-C-B♮)
in the countersubject to this fugue, the composer died."
Stephen writes: "Glenn Gould recorded his versions of the Fugues (piano and organ)
and I have enjoyed and followed his approach to studio recording -- the essence
of which is creativity and minute attention to detail. While both Bach and Gould
receive a lot of attention from fans and scholars with attendant arguments, my
approach is (with due reverence) to follow my own instincts and preferences and
give free reign to my creativity. I wanted to achieve a version of the Art of
the Fugue that is very different from previous versions. I have spent over 2
years developing my arrangements and could issue several albums with quite
divergent interpretations, I believe I have reached an deep understanding with
Bach and Gould, that these pieces have an infinite quality that cannot be
contained in any individual's opinion of them. "
There are different versions of the suite
Part 1: 14 Fugues (Contrapuncti)
Contrapunctus 1 (simple fugue)
Contrapunctus 2 (simple fugue with 'French rhythm')
Contrapunctus 3 (simple inversion fugue)
Contrapunctus 4 (simple inversion fugue with
countersubject)
Contrapunctus 5 (stretto fugue)
Contrapunctus 6 ('in stilo francese')
Contrapunctus 7 ('per augmentationem et diminutionem')
Contrapunctus 8 (triple fugue)
Contrapunctus 9 ('alla Duodecima'; double fugue)
Contrapunctus 10 ('alla Decima'; double fugue)
Contrapunctus 11 (triple fugue)
Contrapunctus 12a ('mirror' fugue 1: rectus)
Contrapunctus 12b ('mirror' fugue 1: inversus)
Contrapunctus 13a ('mirror' fugue 2: rectus)
Contrapunctus 13b ('mirror' fugue 2: inversus)
Contrapunctus 14 ('Fuga a 3 Soggetti'; unfinished)
Art of the Fugue (Die Kunst der Fuge), BWV1080
Canons, labeled by interval and technique:
- 14. Canon per Augmentationem in Contrario Motu: Augmented canon in inverted
motion.
- 15. Canon alla Ottava: Canon at the Octave. The two imitating voices are
separated by an octave.
- 16. Canon alla Decima in Contrapunto alla Terza: Canon at the tenth,
counterpoint at the third.
- 17. Canon alla Duodecima in Contrapunto alla Quinta: Canon at the twelfth,
counterpoint at the fifth.
Key: D-major
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Many of the topics presented online are from the Sound of Music by Stephen
Gislason.
During September 2010 you can
Download a Free Copy. Your comments are welcome.
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