How to Analyze a Fugue
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How to Analyze a Fugue
Before creating a time-line you will need to analyze your fugue. The following questions and techniques are intended to facilitate such an analysis. A thorough and accurate
analysis will save time and effort when you come to the time-line phase of the CD
Counterpoint Companion. This document contains many links to the anatomy of a
Fugue which you might find helpful to have read first.
How many sections are there and in which measures do these sections begin and
end? Analytical Technique: look for cadences.
1. Not every cadence represents the end of a section, but every section ends in a cadence.
2. Sections typically cadence in keys that are closely related to the home key. Closelyrelated keys differ by no more than one sharp or flat.
3. In the context of the 18th century fugue, authentic cadences (V-I) predominate, half
(?-V) and deceptive (V-vi) cadences appear less often, and plagal cadences (IV-I) appear seldom.
4. Fugal cadences are difficult to recognize because the composer does not pause on the
cadence chord; contrapuntal and harmonic motion normally continues directly into the
next section. Cadences are often elided (the cadence chord serves dual function of concluding one section and beginning the next).
What is the function of each section? Analytical Technique: determine if the section
exposes, develops, or concludes material.
1. Exposition: Analytical Technique: mark all instances where the main idea is stated or
answered.
Because the exposition exposes new material, all fugues begin with an exposition. In the sense that it consists of the subject stated and answered in all voices, the ex•
- How to Analyze a Fugue, p. 1 -
position is the most predictable and form defining section of the fugue. The subject (or
answer) may appear in any order, but in Bach's fugues the bass voice will often take the
last entry.
•
When the subject is answered in a second voice, the first voice may continue
with a countersubject. Note all instances of countersubject.
•
Fugues may have more than one exposition. To qualify as an exposition the subject must appear in all voices and in the prescribed subject/answer relationship (tonal or
real). In a re-exposition, the prior subject is voiced in the same order; in a counter exposition, the prior subject is voiced in a different order. A double exposition consists of the
exposition of a second subject (triple-exposition = third subject, etc.)
2. Developmental Episode: Analytical Technique: note all instances of contrapuntal
elaboration.
Sections which elaborate upon the subject by contrapuntal means are called developmental episodes. While the primary function of a development is to elaborate upon
the subject, developments often contain statements of the fugue's subject outright, and
these subjects are often answered.
•
Possible contrapuntal elaborations include: augmentation/diminution, melodic
inversion (contrary motion), contrapuntal inversion (double counterpoint), pedal point,
modulation, sequence, stretto, canon, simple imitation, rhythmic and melodic permutation, fragmentation (separation of the subject's head from its tail, etc), truncation of the
subject, anticipatory statements of the subject's head (false subject).
•
3. Concluding Sections: Analytical Technique: listen for sections which sound as if
they are bringing things to a close.
A section which concludes an interior exposition or development is called a
codetta. Codettas sound as if they are appended after the structural close of a main section. Codettas seldom last more than two or three bars.
•
More common is the coda, which designates the conclusion of the entire fugue. Codas
often modulate to the key of the subdominant. Codas often contain stretti, often visit the
subject one last time (usually in the bass voice), and often employ pedal point.
- How to Analyze a Fugue, p. 2 -
How to Analyze a Fugue
Before creating a time-line you will need to analyze your fugue. The following questions and techniques are intended to facilitate such an analysis. A thorough and accurate
analysis will save time and effort when you come to the time-line phase of the CD
Counterpoint Companion. This document contains many links to the anatomy of a
Fugue which you might find helpful to have read first.
How many sections are there and in which measures do these sections begin and
end? Analytical Technique: look for cadences.
1. Not every cadence represents the end of a section, but every section ends in a cadence.
2. Sections typically cadence in keys that are closely related to the home key. Closelyrelated keys differ by no more than one sharp or flat.
3. In the context of the 18th century fugue, authentic cadences (V-I) predominate, half
(?-V) and deceptive (V-vi) cadences appear less often, and plagal cadences (IV-I) appear seldom.
4. Fugal cadences are difficult to recognize because the composer does not pause on the
cadence chord; contrapuntal and harmonic motion normally continues directly into the
next section. Cadences are often elided (the cadence chord serves dual function of concluding one section and beginning the next).
What is the function of each section? Analytical Technique: determine if the section
exposes, develops, or concludes material.
1. Exposition: Analytical Technique: mark all instances where the main idea is stated or
answered.
Because the exposition exposes new material, all fugues begin with an exposition. In the sense that it consists of the subject stated and answered in all voices, the ex•
- How to Analyze a Fugue, p. 1 -
position is the most predictable and form defining section of the fugue. The subject (or
answer) may appear in any order, but in Bach's fugues the bass voice will often take the
last entry.
•
When the subject is answered in a second voice, the first voice may continue
with a countersubject. Note all instances of countersubject.
•
Fugues may have more than one exposition. To qualify as an exposition the subject must appear in all voices and in the prescribed subject/answer relationship (tonal or
real). In a re-exposition, the prior subject is voiced in the same order; in a counter exposition, the prior subject is voiced in a different order. A double exposition consists of the
exposition of a second subject (triple-exposition = third subject, etc.)
2. Developmental Episode: Analytical Technique: note all instances of contrapuntal
elaboration.
Sections which elaborate upon the subject by contrapuntal means are called developmental episodes. While the primary function of a development is to elaborate upon
the subject, developments often contain statements of the fugue's subject outright, and
these subjects are often answered.
•
Possible contrapuntal elaborations include: augmentation/diminution, melodic
inversion (contrary motion), contrapuntal inversion (double counterpoint), pedal point,
modulation, sequence, stretto, canon, simple imitation, rhythmic and melodic permutation, fragmentation (separation of the subject's head from its tail, etc), truncation of the
subject, anticipatory statements of the subject's head (false subject).
•
3. Concluding Sections: Analytical Technique: listen for sections which sound as if
they are bringing things to a close.
A section which concludes an interior exposition or development is called a
codetta. Codettas sound as if they are appended after the structural close of a main section. Codettas seldom last more than two or three bars.
•
More common is the coda, which designates the conclusion of the entire fugue. Codas
often modulate to the key of the subdominant. Codas often contain stretti, often visit the
subject one last time (usually in the bass voice), and often employ pedal point.
- How to Analyze a Fugue, p. 2 -
