Music Appreciation 3e Kamien
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J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

Organ Fugue in G Minor (Little Fugue)

CD 1, Track 59-61, Duration 4:04

59) Subject, soprano voice alone, minor key.

:18 Subject in alto, countersubject in running notes in soprano.

:35 Episode (sequence).
:41 Subject in tenor, countersubject above it.
:58 Subject in bass (pedals), countersubject in tenor.

60) Brief episode, downward sequence.

:10 Subject begins in tenor, continues in soprano.
:20 A sustained tone in the bass serves as a stable foundation upon which the above harmonies constantly shift.
:30 Brief episode, running notes in a downward sequence.

61) Subject in alto, major key; countersubject in soprano; subject leads to
:21 Episode in major, upward leaps and running notes.
:27 Subject in bass (pedals), major key, countersubject and long trill above it.
:44 Longer episode, downward sequence; begins in major, ends in minor.
1:01 Subject in soprano, minor key, countersubject below it.
1:18 Most extended episode, running notes in a downward sequence; upward sequences lead to sustained high tones which usher in
1:47 Subject in bass (pedals), countersubject in soprano. Fugue ends with major chord. (Note that although it began in a minor key, the fugue concludes with a G major chord. This is a frequently encountered characteristic of baroque fugues written in minor keys.)

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