Composer

:

Glenn Gould

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Quartet

Average_duration

:

5:18

"So You Want to Write a Fugue?" is a humorous and educational composition by Canadian pianist and composer Glenn Gould. It was composed in 1963 and premiered on CBC Radio on January 19, 1964. The piece is divided into four movements, each of which explores a different aspect of fugue writing. The first movement, "Subject," introduces the main theme of the fugue. Gould presents the theme in a variety of styles, including jazz, blues, and rock and roll, to demonstrate the flexibility of the form. The second movement, "Counterpoint," explores the use of counterpoint in fugue writing. Gould presents several examples of counterpoint, including canon and inversion, and demonstrates how they can be used to create complex and interesting textures. The third movement, "Stretto," focuses on the use of stretto in fugue writing. Stretto is a technique in which the subject is overlapped with itself, creating a sense of urgency and excitement. Gould demonstrates several examples of stretto and shows how it can be used to build tension in a fugue. The final movement, "Epilogue," brings the piece to a close with a humorous and self-referential twist. Gould presents a fugue based on the theme of "So You Want to Write a Fugue?" and includes several references to the previous movements. The piece ends with Gould himself singing the final words of the fugue, "And if you succeed, stop, don't write again." Overall, "So You Want to Write a Fugue?" is a playful and informative composition that showcases Gould's wit and musical expertise. It is a testament to his love of the fugue form and his desire to share his knowledge and enthusiasm with others.

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