Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Fugue

Compose Date

:

Jun 3, 1828

Average_duration

:

4:12

Franz Schubert's Fugue for piano duet in E minor, D. 952, Op. posth. 152, is a masterpiece of the composer's late period. It was composed in 1828, the same year as his famous song cycle "Winterreise," and was one of his last works before his untimely death at the age of 31. The Fugue for piano duet in E minor is a single-movement work that lasts approximately 10 minutes. It was not published during Schubert's lifetime and was only discovered in manuscript form in the 1860s. The work was first performed in public in 1869, more than 40 years after Schubert's death. The Fugue is characterized by its intricate counterpoint and complex harmonic structure. It is written in four voices and features a subject that is introduced in the opening bars and then developed throughout the work. The subject is a simple, descending melody that is first presented in the lower voice of the piano. The Fugue is divided into three main sections. The first section is the exposition, in which the subject is presented in each of the four voices. The second section is the development, in which the subject is transformed and manipulated in various ways. The final section is the recapitulation, in which the subject is restated in its original form. Throughout the work, Schubert employs a variety of contrapuntal techniques, including inversion, augmentation, diminution, and stretto. He also makes use of chromatic harmonies and unexpected modulations, creating a sense of tension and drama. Despite its technical complexity, the Fugue is also notable for its emotional depth and expressive power. Schubert imbues the work with a sense of melancholy and introspection, reflecting the composer's own struggles with illness and mortality. Overall, the Fugue for piano duet in E minor, D. 952, Op. posth. 152, is a remarkable achievement and a testament to Schubert's genius as a composer. Its intricate counterpoint, complex harmonies, and emotional depth make it a masterpiece of the piano duet repertoire.

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