Fugue: The Virtuoso Composer

Question 1

Fugue is a form named after a ___.

Answer 1

Technique.

Question 2

Fugue is imagination in ___ ___.

Answer 2

Imitative polyphony.

Question 3

Fuga

Answer 3

To flee, to run away.

Question 4

Late Baroque fugues usually focus on ___ theme.

Answer 4

One.

Question 5

How to canzona’s differ from fugues?

Answer 5

There are multiple themes in canzonas, but only one in a fugue.

Question 6

A theme in a fugue is known as a…

Answer 6

Subject.

Question 7

Fugue is the exploration of how 3 or 4 voices can interact with and around the ___.

Answer 7

Subject.

Question 8

The ___’s virtuosity is on display in a fugue.

Answer 8

Composer.

Question 9

What is the composer’s challenge in fugues?

Answer 9

• How long and in how many ways can you alter the subject?

- Systematic exploration of melody, counterpoint, and time.

Question 10

How is the fugue consistent with the Baroque aesthetic?

Answer 10

• One subject (affect_ per piece (steady state).
• Tonal and thematic variety provided through contrapuntal ornateness, extravagance.
• Chaos with control.

Question 11

Subject

Answer 11

Theme in a fugue.

Question 12

Entry

Answer 12

Each statement of the subject.

Question 13

Subject vs. Answer

Answer 13

Subject is the very first statement of the theme. The answer is every subsequent statement of that theme in another voice.

Question 14

Exposition

Answer 14

The opening section of a fugue.

Question 15

What order do subjects and answers go on?

Answer 15

Any order.

Question 16

How to fugues begin?

Answer 16

Exposition, begins with the subject by itself.

Question 17

SATB

Answer 17

Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass.

Question 18

Second entry starts on the pitch a ___ above (or ___ below) the first.

Answer 18

Fifth, fourth.

Question 19

The exposition emphasizes the critical pitches and chords/harmonies of…

Answer 19

The key.

Question 20

Episode

Answer 20

Wherever the subject isn’t being stated.

Question 21

What is the purpose of the episode?

Answer 21

To modulate, to de-stabilize and to add interest.

Question 22

Episodes are not only present in fugues, but also in ___ ___.

Answer 22

Ritornello form.

Question 23

Difference between concertos and fugues:

Answer 23

Concertos are focussed on the solos more than the ritornello episodes, while fugues are more focused on the subjects/answers and less on the episodes.

Question 24

Countersubject

Answer 24

A theme distinct from the subject that accompanies it.

Question 25

Stretto

Answer 25

Quickly overlapping statements of the subject (the answer begins before the subject is over).

Question 26

Augmentation

Answer 26

Subject is presented more slowly, extended note values.

Question 27

Diminution

Answer 27

Subject is presented more quickly, shortened note values.

Question 28

Inversion

Answer 28

Subject is turned upside down. Notes ascend when in the original subject they would have descended (and vice versa).

Question 29

Retrograde

Answer 29

Backwards.