Reading: Fugue

Question 1

In general terms, fugue can be thought of as ___ ___ ___.

Answer 1

Systematized imitative polyphony.

Question 2

Fugue

Answer 2

A polyphonic composition for a fixed number of instrumental lines or voices built on a single principal theme.

Question 3

Subject

Answer 3

The term for the principal theme of a fugue.

Question 4

Fuga

Answer 4

Running away.

Question 5

Exposition

Answer 5

(1) The first section of a fugue. (2) The first section of a sonata-form movement.

Question 6

Subject Entries

Answer 6

In a fugue, appearances of the entire fugue subject after the opening exposition.

Question 7

Episode

Answer 7

In a fugue, a passage that does not contain any complete appearances of the fugue subject.

Question 8

Countersubject

Answer 8

In a fugue, a subsidiary melodic line that appears regularly in counterpoint with the subject.

Question 9

Inversion

Answer 9

Reading or playing a melody or a twelve-tone series upside down. Playing all of its upwards intervals downwards and vice versa.

Question 10

Stretto

Answer 10

In a fugue, overlapping entrances of the fugue subject in several voices simultaneously.

Question 11

Prelude

Answer 11

An introductory piece, leading to another, such as a fugue or an opera (with the exception of Chopin’s preludes).

Question 12

Arpeggio

Answer 12

A chord “broken” so that its pitches are played in quick succession rather than simultaneously.