Fugue XI in F major for 3 voices

I’m working on a project to compose 24 preludes and fugues, inspired by Bach’s Welltempered Clavier and Shostakovich’s Op. 87.

The fugue in F major is my first post to the YC community, which I would describe as

WOODPECKER AND BARCAROLE - FUGA SCHERZANDO

The theme, knocking, with a sixfold repetition of the root note, counterpoint and interludes, on the other hand, in a swaying, rocking quaver motion.

This contrast of “woodpecker” and “barcarole” makes up the jocular character of this fugue, underlined by the interjections of “wrong notes” - inspired by Shostakovich's D flat major prelude - in the coda.

Welcome to the forum @Wieland Handke!

Sorry for my late response as I have been focusing on my own composition and other matters this few weeks. 

The subject is indeed woodpecker like with all those repeated notes and staccato. I personally would want the tempo to be much faster for the scherzando feeling though, just like some gigue like fugue Bach made, or the gigues in his suites. I like your subject, it can easily form stretti and inversion as your later developments do. I definitely like your sudden modulation to A minor in b.52, though at the first beat of it I would want a G# for a full chord. In b.64 even though I know you are trying to have a faxbourden texture there, I still feel it a bit off given it's a 3 part fugue, and they are in diminished fifths, not in fourths. The surprising dissonance at the end are really interesting which really likes a hopping bird. I would end with a full rather than a hollow fifth at the end. And the clapse at the end, I don't like it at all lol!!😝

Nice fugue anyways. Given how you like fugal writing, you may check out Pabio's @Fugax Contrapunctus writings. Or my six voice fugue for a String Sextet LoL! (Self advertisement!!)

Thx for joining and sharing your music with us, I'm sure you have tons more music to offer and probably even reviews to other members!

Henry

Thank you for your instant response!

As I am new on YC - it is like attending a house music concert for the first time where all other guests are still unknown - it is very pleasant to be welcomed warmly by the host (according to my reading of a number of the latest posts I have noticed that you are very active in replying to new submissions and as you are one of the „Moderators“, I consider that you are one of the „hosts“ among the YT community).

I will take a more thorough look at your profound comments concerning the composition of my fugue as soon as possible.

The applause at the end - I know it's a bit embarrassing, but I added it for technical reasons, because I often had the problem that videos on iOS devices were cut off when there was only silence at the end, and one wants to hear of cause the final chord after all.

You have recommended to follow @Fugax Contrapunctus. Interestingly, I’m already a (still silent) follower of him on YouTube and I found the YC website only due to he has linked it in its YouTube profile. I’ll watch his fugues (an your own, linked one) in the next time a bit more thoroughly to be able to give a reply, too.

Greetings from Wieland