Fugue Challenge

This is a counterpoint exercise, NOT a competition.

Here are twelve original fugue subjects for which no fugue has been written. If your fugue-writing skills need improvement, compose a fugue for one or more or all of the following subjects and let the other composers, myself enthusiastically included, help you revise it. This will improve your counterpoint in your fugal writing, but also in your non-fugal writing quicker than any other method. Some of these subjects are very easy and versatile, and others were designed to be a hindrance. I will also contribute a fugue set; writing a fugue for each of the twelve subjects. There's no rush. Take your time and consider the material throroughly. The instrumentation, tempos, and number of voicings is your own prerogative. You will find this helpful should you accept the challenge. Feel free to challenge my fugue-writing as well with one of your own [plausible] subjects in return.

Brandon Homayouni :D

puck81@gmail.com

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TWELVE NEW SUBJECTS

--- No. 1 in C Major (4/4)

--- No. 2 in c minor (12/8)

--- No. 3 in D Major (3/4)

--- No. 4 in d minor (4/4)

--- No. 5 in e-flat Major (3/8)

--- No. 6 in e Minor (4/4)

--- No. 7 in F Major (6/8)

--- No. 8 in G Major (3/4)

--- No. 9 in g Minor (4/4)

--- No. 10 in a Minor (2/4)

--- No. 11 in B-flat Major (4/4)

--- No. 12 in b Minor (4/4)

Did you write the subjects, Brandon? I haven't heard them all yet, but couple of them are difficult indeed. :D

Also, can the subject be lengthened - judiciously, of course - to make it fit a workable fugal pattern? Frederick the Great only gave Bach 5 notes to improvise a 5-part fugue on when Bach went to visit his son C.P.E., but Bach lenthened the subject some.

Also: How strict? How free? Many of the people here write contemporary music which won't adhere to Fux.

I'd say above all, do not modify the subject. That is making it too easy.

Brandon

Yes, I did write all of the subjects.

I just wrote a half of an exposition with the subject in C minor. So be warned, anybody else that picks that subject, a great one imo, you have 'competition' :D

Maybe I'll add some subjects for the more 'exotic' keys later. But I don't think its very nessecary.

That's exciting :D

Haha, I picked C minor, and I also have a great exposition. You better watch out man :D

Sorry I made a careless error. Subject No. 8 in G is in 3/4 time, not 4/4. How can I fix this? I don't see any "edit" option (I use mac).

Brandon

After a couple of hours, it times you out for the EDIT option.

I fixed it for you. Being a Mod has it's advantages (along with the spam in Orchestral that I threw out last night...sheesh!)

I'd say above all, do not modify the subject. That is making it too easy.

Really? OK, but some of them seem rather short. Maybe that's part of the challenge.

Well, C minor is done, and I'm quite happy with how it sounds, but i'm still open to plenty of suggestions and criticism. I think this is actually the most enjoyable subject out of all, Brandon. It has that great dance-type feel to it. Thanks for the theme! :D

Hrm...I've actually never written a fugue before. I'll probably have some questions, but I can always refer to my dusty Bach books...! :D

I think I'll do numbers 5 + 11.

EDIT: By the way, BE, your fugue is very cool, and I hate this type of music. ;)

EDIT 2: I just realized that 115 ("I think I'll do numbers 5 + 11.") is my post number! Hhahaa ok I'm done.

EDIT 3: Here's 13 seconds. Am I doing it right?

This is fun, but I don't want to go any further until I know whether the episodes are to be in strict counterpoint as well. In some styles of fugues the episodes aren't necessarily contrapuntal.

Baroque: that's good! And you did it really quickly...dang! I'm doing the C-minor as well, and I actually like your characterisation better than mine. Check for parallel fifths, though...I heard at least one instance between the low and middle voices at :22 - E-flat to D, and A-flat to G.

Thanks for the feedback. ;) I just love how three of us decided to start with C minor first. We should keep going like this, moving from one theme to the next, together.

As for :22, its not actually parallel 5ths, but even worse: an Ab against an A natural. I think I'm gonna leave it though (I dunno, I think it works :D )... ugh, i dont know, what should i do?

EDIT: Nickthoven: It looks like you have a interesting piece coming along, but I'm not sure if its a fugue. I'm not sure how far the rules of the fugues i'm familiar with normally extend into your abstract style, so I can't comment as much as I'd normally be able to. ;)

EDIT: Nickthoven and Brandon: Do the C minor one! Come on, it'll be fun!

Well, BE, that's why I was asking for help but noone seems to pay attention to me! Grr. T_T

Sorryy :D . This might help you in some ways: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugue

It explains a lot. but doesn't give any visual examples so its harder to follow.

BE's C-Minor was great! Gorgeous treatment of the subject. No complaints at all! Do another! Do another! You're a really good fuguist.

I am almost done with my C-Major, and then I will do my C-Minor treatment. Don't worry, I am going to do all twelve. I'll probably be able to manage a new one every one or two weeks.

JLG: I think the episodes can be less than strict as long as it is for an artistic or textural reasons, but I prefer the most logical solutions personally.

ALSO, IF YOU WANT ME TO HEAR YOUR FUGUES YOU HAVE TO EMAIL THEM. My browser won't open any files on this site.

BBH

Thanks, Brandon! I'm in the middle of deciding which one to do next, but I wanna see what everyone else does for Cm before I move. I think its between Bb maj and bm. The Bb subject sounds like it would be suitable for a 4 voice arrangement, and bm a 5 voice fugue. Theyre both good though! :D

Maybe this fugue challenge should be a separate sub-division of the composition forum?

EDIT: I hope this thing didn't die already. I think this is the best thing on the board right now lol. Come on guys!

:huh: .................(dead silence)..............COME ON GUYS WHERE"S YOUR FUGUES!!!!!!!! :D :excl: :excl:

I'm a little too bummed out to work on mine at the moment, plus tomorrow I start a new job, whether I want to or not.

I'm way into the C minor, but I'm not putting something out there I'm not satisfied with. But I'll get mine in.

Mine is still baking :D

Patience :excl:

Patience :)

...... is a virtue ..... and maybe one day I'll have some :lol:. Sorry, take your time!

Fugue in C Major

for Fugue Challenge

by Brandon Homayouni

4 Sept 05

scored for violin, viola, cello and bass

Hey, nice job with the Cmaj subject. I only have two comments on it. 1. I think the piece is much better suited for the organ (if playable, i haven't checked). Its got that slow brooding character about it that would fit well on the organ. 2. Your setting was perfect for the subject, but there's something about the subject that bothers me. I think its that skip from the second note to the third, and I can't put my finger on why....but in any case, nice fugue!