Analysis of J. S. Bach's Wohltemperirtes Clavier: 48 Preludes and Fugues

Hugo Riemann

Language: English

Publisher: Forgotten Books

Published: Aug 28, 2012

Description:

The present analysis of J. S. Bach s Wohltemperirtes Clavier may be regarded as a sequel to the Catechism of Composition ,and specially as a Guide to fugal composition by the help of the most wonderful master-pieces in this branch of musical art; for to students of composition good examples are far more profitable than abstract rules and vague prescripts. If a well-known teacher of counterpoint is accustomed to tell his pupils that really not one of the fugues in the Wohl. Clavier is according to rule, surely one might turn the spit and maintain that rules which do not agree with Bach sfugues are worthless. The first result of the present analysis of fugues is to establish in the clearest manner the perfect agreement of Bach sfugal structure with the norm of all other musical formation; tripartite division according to the scheme AB A (foundation-laying section in the principal key, modulating middle section, concluding section in the principal key is everywhere clearly exposed to view; and sound reasons, likewise, may be given for the few apparent exceptions. The free episodes are not merely connecting members inserted between the principal sections of the fugue but they appear in the principal sections themselves, are complementary to the theme entries, serving as foils to them, or surpassing and crowning them.
(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)

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