As I was listening to a podcast about why composers study Bach, the man pointed out how nobody knew for sure whether some of Bach's fugues were composed for one person to play on a keyboard or if several instruments should play them. I have attempted playing Bach and have decided that his mind was infinitely grander than mine. Just looking at the music, especially the original handwritten scores, the parts are so busy with counterpoint and decorative flourishes, I marvel at the hands that could play all those notes!
We humans only have five fingers on each hand. It looks like Bach's music would take hands with at least six fingers on each to be able to execute all of those notes! No wonder people think that his most complicated fugues must have been written to be played by several different instruments. The debate goes on.
We humans only have five fingers on each hand. It looks like Bach's music would take hands with at least six fingers on each to be able to execute all of those notes! No wonder people think that his most complicated fugues must have been written to be played by several different instruments. The debate goes on.
Hands are marvelous creations! In my own small way, as I was analyzing a piece of music, I suddenly realized that I was playing along all the while holding a pencil in some of my fingers and still able to play all the notes. How amazing is that? I marvel at all hands can do --- play instruments, sculpt, write, draw, build, cook, operate machinery, scratch, apply ointment, comfort, and the list is endless.
But back to Bach and learning about fugues. In a college music theory class, we were each supposed to write a fugue. I was a singer. Why was I asked to write a fugue, anyway? Yeah, I got a few ideas down, but no complete composition. It bothered me for years that I could not finish that assignment.
Then, years later, I woke up with an idea that seemed to me to be a decent fugue theme. (Maybe I had been singing Handel or Mozart a lot during that time, I don't know.) But, also remembering that I didn't really know anything about writing a true fugue, I decided to write this piece for SATB choir and piano giving just a nod to Baroque style.
Then, years later, I woke up with an idea that seemed to me to be a decent fugue theme. (Maybe I had been singing Handel or Mozart a lot during that time, I don't know.) But, also remembering that I didn't really know anything about writing a true fugue, I decided to write this piece for SATB choir and piano giving just a nod to Baroque style.
Musical ideas are like clay. In an artist's hands, they can become a masterpiece.
Perhaps my offering isn't a masterpiece, but it is about the Master.
The text is taken from Matthew 11: 28-30.
Enjoy "Come Unto Him" SATB.
Perhaps my offering isn't a masterpiece, but it is about the Master.
The text is taken from Matthew 11: 28-30.
Enjoy "Come Unto Him" SATB.
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