The WTF Bach Podcast The 4th Fugue in The Art of Fugue: Where is the golden section? Exchanging the Dux and the Comes
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Apr 5, 2020 Dive into the intriguing world of Bach's fourth fugue, where humor meets complexity. Learn about a blind organist from Leipzig and the unique Latin terms tied to the music. Discover how a subject can thrive with just a two-note motif. The discussion also unpacks the elusive golden section, blending music with math. Personal anecdotes about the host's early piano journey add warmth, while a tantalizing performance of the fourth fugue leaves listeners hungry for more. Get ready for the upcoming twists in the fifth fugue!
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Defining Simple Fugues in Art of Fugue
- Simple fugues have one subject with no complex fugal techniques like inversion or stretto.
- Fugue 4 closes a set of simple fugues, showing increasing chromatic and contrapuntal complexity even without these techniques.
Evan's Early Bach Inspiration
- Evan Schenner started piano at nine, slightly later than most musicians.
- He loved Bach even before playing piano, inspired by the Disney film Fantasia as a child.
Helmut Walcha's Remarkable Story
- Helmut Walcha was a blind organist from Leipzig who memorized the entire Bach repertoire orally.
- He recorded all of Bach's harpsichord and organ music from memory, accomplishing an extraordinary feat.