Catalog Number: BWV 578
Year: About 1703
Location Written: Arnstad, Germany
Think About It
- How does the fugue differ from earlier Baroque art forms?
- How does the volume (or dynamics) change throughout the song?
- What do you notice about the structure of the song? Do you notice any patterns?
- How does the structure or pattern of this song differ from songs you might hear on the radio today?
Meet the Artist
Fun Facts
- The theme or “subject” of the fugue appears 9 times
- Bach is considered the “father” of fugues. He was a master at writing them and helped to develop this complex art form.
- There are four different “voices” in this fugue. Can you hear each voice? One is high, two are in the middle and then there is low pedal voice.
Fugue Fun
Play the first 5 notes of the Bach’s g minor fugue as everyone sings along “la, mi, do, ti, la” with the music. These first 5 notes are the theme of this fugue. Fugue’s have a theme that reappears several times in different voices, starting sometimes on a high note and sometimes a low note. Have everyone sit in a circle with 9 sticks in the middle. Everyone drums a steady beat as the music plays. Anytime the theme appears, try to be the first to grab a stick. If you grab a stick at the incorrect time, you have to put it back. Did you find the 9 times the fugue theme appears? Try the activity again with other fugues.
Understanding the Music
Listen to the music & try to determine as many details about the piece as you can without looking at the answers below.
Texture: Polyphonic
Key: g minor
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- Date Added: March 8, 2024
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- Date Added: March 8, 2024