More Beautiful Music
From the Baroque Period
Thanks to a Friend of AOM
For suggesting Bach's Kyrie Eleison from Mass in B Minor
Before we begin:
A Short Music Appreciation Lesson
What is a Fugue?
Ever sing "Row, Row, Row your boat" as a Round?
Very,Very simply put
A Fugue is a wee bit like a Round
In which a main melody or Subject is established
Then repeated by other voices throughout the piece
A Fugue is astronomically more complex than a Round
There is much more to a Fugue than this explanation
But if this is new to you,
I thought it would be a good place to start
This video presentation is very cool to see a fugue in action
And a great way to begin to learn what a fugue is.
J.S. Bach
"Little " Fugue in G Minor
(Music begins at the 22 second mark)
Now take this understanding of a fugue
And listen for the main melody or Subject
As it moves through the different voices and instruments
In one of the most beautiful Fugues ever written -
The "Kyrie Eleison" from Bach's Mass in B Minor
Here I've sketched out some obvious times
When the Subject appears from the beginning of this piece.
(Time is in seconds below)
00:00 - 00:33 Intro
00:35 Subject begins to play with the oboe/English Horn
01:44 You can definitely hear the Subject in the Bass
02:17 Now the Tenors sing the Subject with the words Kyrie Eleison
02:28 The Altos begin to sing the Subject
02:47 The Sopranos begin to sing the Subject
03:22 The Basses begin to sing the Subject
Keep listening for the Subject throughout the piece
J.S. Bach
"Kyrie Eleison"
From Mass In B Minor
Conductor: Philippe Herreweghe
Choir and Orchestra of Collegium Vocale Gent
Again, here are some times when you will hear the Subject begin
Times to Watch: - :35 - 1:44 - 2:17 - 2:28 - 2:47 - 3:22 (etc)