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Topic: Favourite Bach fugue subject (Read 5892 times)

psipsi8

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Favourite Bach fugue subject

on: December 13, 2024, 07:28:00 PM

I'm not asking what's your favourite fugue. Lots of very interesting fugues have pedantic subjects, yet make astonishing use of them. One subject I "hate" is the g minor from the BWV915 toccata, as it's annoying and disingeneous but I just love how it's used. The fugue is a masterpiece...totally creeping from start to finish.
Offhand, I'd name the Eb major fugue subject of WTC II, the c minor fugue subject from the toccata BWV 911 as being some of the catchiest. So this question is very simple: Which fugues have the most entertaining subjects? On the other hand, which fugues have exceptionally boring or annoying subjects yet utilize them in a really amazing manner?

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klavieronin

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Posts: 892

Re: Favourite Bach fugue subject

Reply #1 on: December 14, 2024, 04:40:58 AM

I don't know if it's my favourite but one I love is the E Minor fugue from Bk1 of WTC.

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brogers70

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Posts: 1818

Re: Favourite Bach fugue subject

Reply #2 on: December 14, 2024, 10:18:14 AM

I love the theme from the 3 and 6 voice Ricercars from the Musical Offering, even if it was Frederick the Great who came up with it.

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transitional

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Posts: 969

Re: Favourite Bach fugue subject

Reply #3 on: December 14, 2024, 06:21:50 PM

WTC 1 C-sharp Major fugue opens really brightly.

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lelle

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Posts: 2680

Re: Favourite Bach fugue subject

Reply #4 on: December 14, 2024, 09:54:00 PM

I'd add a vote for Book 1 C sharp major being catchy.

I also love the C major fugue theme from the same book.

One that you could argue is "boring" is the c sharp minor fugue theme, it's just 5 slow notes. But the interval B# - E is quite interesting at the same time. And the fugue itself is amazing.

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lelle

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Posts: 2680

Re: Favourite Bach fugue subject

Reply #5 on: December 16, 2024, 12:00:51 PM

Oh I'd like to add the fugue in a minor in BWV 543! It's a pretty long subject but I LOVE that thing.

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klavieronin

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 892

Re: Favourite Bach fugue subject

Reply #6 on: December 16, 2024, 12:41:07 PM

Quote from: lelle on December 16, 2024, 12:00:51 PM

Oh I'd like to add the fugue in a minor in BWV 543! It's a pretty long subject but I LOVE that thing.

Ooohhh, yes!!!! That one too.

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sffffz

PS Silver Member
Newbie
Posts: 4

Re: Favourite Bach fugue subject

Reply #7 on: December 29, 2024, 07:14:35 PM

Might be cliche but I like how Bach experimented with chromatic notes in BWV903. If I had to choose from WTC it would be BWV866 - it sounds joyful and dance-like.

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Piano Street Magazine:The Quiet Revolutionary of the Piano – Fauré’s Complete Piano Works Now on Piano Street

Topic: Favourite Bach fugue subject (Read 5892 times)

Piano Street Magazine:New Piano Piece by Chopin Discovered – Free Piano Score

Piano Street Magazine:
The Quiet Revolutionary of the Piano – Fauré’s Complete Piano Works Now on Piano Street

Piano Street Magazine:
New Piano Piece by Chopin Discovered – Free Piano Score