Fugue

A fugue is a musical composition in which a short melody or phrase (the subject) is introduced by one part and successively taken up by others, creating a complex, interwoven texture. It is characterized by its contrapuntal structure, where multiple melodic lines (voices) engage in imitation and development of the subject. Often, a fugue includes episodes which are less subject-driven and more freeform, offering contrast.

Fugue meaning with examples

• Bach's 'The Well-Tempered Clavier' is filled with iconic fugues. The composer meticulously crafts the entrances of each voice, ensuring a captivating interplay of melodic lines. This intricate architecture, where the subject's theme is meticulously built upon and developed throughout, is key to his genius. The final resolution, a culmination of all voices, is always breathtaking.
• In a particularly challenging passage, the string quartet struggled to maintain a clean fugal texture. Each instrument had to precisely follow the subject, while the resulting harmonic complexity proved difficult for the young musicians. Despite the technical challenges, the composer's use of the fugue to portray a storm was incredibly effective in its unsettling effect.
• Though the initial section of the piece established a calm environment, the abrupt intrusion of the fugue completely alters its course. The subject, delivered with increasing intensity by the woodwinds, sets off an explosion of musical energy. The use of the fugue allowed the composer to create a unique sense of chaos and turmoil, reflecting the story's plot.
• The professor used a modern composition incorporating elements of a jazz arrangement and fugue structure in his lecture. The professor aimed to show the complexity of this traditional technique, but instead was a bit confusing. The piece built the different instruments and notes, creating a uniquely contemporary sound, while still adhering to the formal structures.