MUS 1751 Lecture : Music 1751 2/28/12 Notes
Document Summary
The greatest expression of polyphonic writing is a form called fugue. Bach is considered a master of this form. It is a way to show off technical skill in contrapuntal writing. The word itself means flight. first there is a main theme called the subject. Then this is followed by a free writing section called an episode. Usually fugues are for 2-5 voices or parts. They have been written for as many as 32. Another technique preferred by bach and certainly well suited to the organ, the pedal point, a sustained note in the bass with the harmonies shifting over it. The organ was a main instrument of the baroque and bach was considered a virtuoso organist. Church cantata is a multi movement sacred work including arias, ariosos, recitatives, vocal soloists, a chorus, small orchestra. Required listening: listen to excerpts from awake a voice is calling movement 4 ; all based on a chorale lutheran tune.
