New Bach video Fugue n 4 in C-sharp min BWV 849 WTC 1

[carmelopaolucci]

Dear Friends,

The fugue { 5 parts) rises like unto a majestic cathedral, increasing in intensity up to the close; and finally, where the strettos of theme and countersubject form the highest point, and, at the same time, the real close (the rest is a coda with organ-point on the dominant, and assuredly a
diminuendo was intended), the might is simply overwhelming.
While it contains three themes, it is not properly structured as a triple fugue because only the first idea receives exposition. The other two themes are more in the nature of countersubjects. The five voices are heard at the beginning of the fugue in ascending order, starting with the bass. The subject is heard in stretto in m. 55, and again densely so in mm. 94–99.

The subject (C♯, B♯, E, D♯ C♯) is a cross motif in half and whole notes. The contour of descending half step, ascending diminished fourth, and descending half step is the same as the Advent Chorale "Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland" (Kerman 2005, 28).

The second theme, which enters in measure 36, is a flowing changing-tone motif, in eighth notes, that can be heard as a diminution and motivic transformation of the main subject.

In measure 49, a third theme enters in concert with the prior two. These three are heard as invertible counterpoint in measures 49–88, at which point the second theme drops away. Thereafter, the first and third themes continue to the end, with a striking dissonance on the downbeat of measure 112, four bars before the end.

It was really fun to study it, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Greetings from Italy
Carmelo