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Chapter 15
Johann Sebastian Bach
Chapter at a Glance
Listen to This First
Timbres of the Organ, Timbres of the Orchestra
A Distinctive Melody
A Closer Look: The Baroque Organ
Performance: Changing the Sound, but Not the Notes
Fugal Texture
Connect Your Playlist: Arrangements
Listening Guide
a.
Chapter Objectives
After reading the chapter and listening to the work, students should be able to:
15.3 Explain why it is important for a fugue to have a distinctive opening theme.
Key Concepts
imitative counterpoint, organ, timbre, arrangements
Chapter Highlight: Baroque Organ Music
and this fugue demonstrates why the organ, with its immense volume and range, was
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Chapter Summary
The word fugue
Fugues are challenging for composers to write, but Baroque composers were expected to
when Bach was about 20 years old while he was in Arnstadt, where he worked as an
organist. His command of
Organs have the capacity to make sounds like reed, string, and brass instruments, which
the player controls from the keyboard or manual. The pedal board is used to produce
very low notes.
Fugues a
note values as the subject continues. The subject stands out even when other entries are
made and al
Listening Guide
The Listening Guide divides the work into two parts because Bonds discusses two
MyMusicLab Resources
Automated Listening Guide: Johann Sebastian Bach: Fugue in G Minor, BWV 578
)
A Closer Look: The Baroque Organ
Animated Graphical Score: Johann Sebastian Bach: Fugue in G Minor,
A Closer Look
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Inside the Orchestra: The Organ
Flashcards
Discussion Topics and Critical Thinking Questions
1. Bach wrote organ works, orchestral music, and cantatas. Why did he write no opera?
Activities and Exercises
1. Trace the job changes that Bach made from age 18 to age 38. What kinds of music did
he write at each place of employment? Include titles of examples.
2. Search newspapers, the Internet, radio stations, and television announcements for
Journaling Prompt
Fugues are considered to be cerebral compositions. Are there other compositions that
about the pieces made you consider them cerebral? If no, why do you think that is?