Year Three, Day 327: Polyphony Epiphany!

  "Polyphony is a musical texture that features two or more equally prominent melodic lines played at the same time. Each of these lines can be thought of as a melody in its own right -- one that could be sung, played, or listened to independently of the others. But it is the combination of the different strands, all interacting together, that creates polyphony."http://ccnmtl.columbia.edu/projects/sonicg/terms/polyphony.html

"An epiphany is:

a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something

(2) : an intuitive grasp of reality through something (such as an event) usually simple and striking

(3) : an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure." https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epiphany

 

 I stumbled upon "The Art of the Fugue" by J.S. Bach today. It literally fell in my lap. I was sitting at my piano, practicing the "Magnificat" by Bach for our upcoming choir concert.  I felt the need to play something else. I was thinking I should do some sight reading to keep my brain and mind in shape.  I have a stack of music I keep on my piano for just such occasions.  I recently picked up the "Art of the Fugue" at the music center, from their used music stacks.  I feel that sightreading Bach, especially his fugues are a good brain workout. 

But I have never really studied "The Art of the Fugue".

Obviously it chose me!

I opened it up and was honestly shocked!   There were 14 pieces titled "Contrapunctus" and four pieces entitled "Canon". But what shocked me is that were all in the same key! They are all in the key of d minor. This means they have the same key signature (1 flat).

And they start out with the same theme.  I had no idea!  I sat down and started to play. They are not easy to sightread.  I was intrigued though. What was Bach's intention with "The Art of the Fugue"?

I know that a fugue is a contrapuntal piece.  Counterpoint is: 

"In music, counterpoint is the relationship between voices that are harmonically interdependent (polyphony) yet independent in rhythm and contour. It has been most commonly identified in the European classical tradition, strongly developing during the Renaissance and in much of the common practice period, especially in the Baroque. The term originates from the Latin punctus contra punctum meaning "point against point". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterpoint

A fugue takes a theme and plays it in one voice, and then another simultaneously. Kind of like a round, but in Bach's case, much more complex.

 

I had to finish my practice, my laundry and my hooping before I ran to catch the bus.

While waiting at the bus stop I Googled "The Art of the Fugue" and found this fascinating article:

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/music_box/2008/05/bach_on_top.html

Today, on my bus rides and walking in between students, I listened to  J.S. Bach's "Die Kuns der Fuge" ("The Art of Fugue) BMV 1080 performed by Pierre-Laurent Aimard.

It transformed my day!  I found the polyphony peaceful and calming. It gave my sometimes frantic mind something to hang onto.  It was almost a spiritual experience. And when my mind did wander, noticing other people walking, cars, buses, and bicycles traveling to their destinations, clouds gathering, rain beginning to fall, I realized that life is polyphonic!

I wish I had time to develop this idea, but alas, I have one more student to teach tonight.

I just had to stop at the library and blog my thoughts before they evaporated. Like the rain on the sidewalk.

Most profound am I!

I am really connecting to Bach lately. First the Magnificat, now The Art of the Fugue.

I am thinking that I might like to possibly perform some of the Contrapuncti at my next little concert! It gives me a goal.  I like goals.

On that note, I wish you a happy Thursday!

Talk to you tomorrow!

Love,

Zita

P.S. Here is today's hooping video. Day 281!