Credits:

Bach (1685-1750)

Description:

Based on the autograph version, "The Technique of Fugue" is performed as a completed work! Mysterious beauty brought about by the symbolism of numbers, and the supreme ensemble of virtuoso players Bach's "Technique des Fugues" is the pinnacle of counterpoint art and should be called the ultimate work in Bach's calligraphy. However, it is also a work full of mysteries, such as the order of the pieces and whether or not to include the unfinished fugue. In addition to the published score, there is a so-called "Berlin Autograph" (Mus. ms. Bach P 200), which differs in the number of pieces, the order of the pieces, and various parts of the score. In this album, an attempt has been made to use the autograph score and to perform it as a "complete work". Reading the order and types of music in the autograph score, we found that Bach included "number symbolism" in it: BACH is converted into numbers in alphabetical order: 2-1-3-8, and it is known that Bach symbolically infiltrated the total number 14 in his works.The "Technique of Fugue" in autograph form consists of two basic fugues, one fugue ending with a semi-terminus (la, A note!), three fugues with antiphonal forms and counter-subjects, and finally, eight fugues of increasing complexity. The eight sections can be subdivided into 2-1-2-1-2, and the writing style develops into expanded and contracted fugues, canons, multiple fugues, canons, mirror image fugues (upright + inverted as one piece), and so on. The writing style develops. Bach titled his collection "Die Kunst der Fuga. Only the fugue is spelled in Italian. Bach also seemed to like the number 1+5+8=14 (BACH). This album is performed by an ensemble. The instruments are selected according to the range of the score, and the various viols sound beautifully, creating a surprisingly musical dialogue from "The Technique of Fugue," which is often thought of as a theoretical piece of music.The arrangements are interesting and well thought out, with the organ entering as a bass continuo or sometimes played solo, and the unfinished fugue at the end is a nice touch. Accademia Strumentale Italiana has previously recorded for Stradivarius and Divox, and this is their first work for Challenge Classics. The leader, Alberto Large, is a viol player who studied with Savard. King International

Tracklisting:

1.Die Kunst der Fuga, BWV 1080~I. Fuga simplex rectus BWV 1080/1
2.Die Kunst der Fuga, BWV 1080~II. Fuga simplex inversus BWV 1080/3
3.Die Kunst der Fuga, BWV 1080~III. Fuga plagalis BWV 1080/2
4.Die Kunst der Fuga, BWV 1080~IV. Counter-fugue - fuga inversa BWV 1080/5
5.Die Kunst der Fuga, BWV 1080~V. Fuga rectus with obbligato countersubjects alla Duodecima BWV 1080/9
6.Die Kunst der Fuga, BWV 1080~VI. Fuga inversus with two obbligato countersubjects alla Decima BWV 1080/10
7.Die Kunst der Fuga, BWV 1080~VII. Fuga inversa in Stylo Francese BWV 1080/6a
8.Die Kunst der Fuga, BWV 1080~VIII. Fuga inversa per Augment. et Diminut. BWV 1080/7
9.Die Kunst der Fuga, BWV 1080~IX. Canon in Hypodiapason (Canon alla Ottava) BWV 1080/15
10.Die Kunst der Fuga, BWV 1080~X. Fuga a tre Soggetti a 3 BWV 1080/8
11.Die Kunst der Fuga, BWV 1080~XI. Fuga a quattro soggetti a 4 BWV 1080/11
12.Die Kunst der Fuga, BWV 1080~XII. Canon per Augmentationem in contrario motu BWV 1080/14
13.Die Kunst der Fuga, BWV 1080~XIIIa. Mirror fugue in contrappunto simplici a 4 rectus BWV 1080/12,1
14.Die Kunst der Fuga, BWV 1080~XIIIb. Mirror fugue in contrappunto simplici a 4 inversus BWV 1080/12,2
15.Die Kunst der Fuga, BWV 1080~XIVa. Mirror fuga inversa in contrappunto duplici a 3 rectus BWV 1080/18,2
16.Die Kunst der Fuga, BWV 1080~XIVb. Mirror fuga inversa in contrappunto duplici a 3 inversus BWV 1080/18,1
17.Die Kunst der Fuga, BWV 1080~Fuga a 3 Soggetti [unfinished]