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