Amazing Counterpoint: Analysis of D Major Fugue from Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II

[@leosilvertongue3335]

The day after a tough breakup, having lost the person who had become my purpose in life, I remember spending hours at the piano learning this fugue. The uplifting emotional beauty and structural perfection were able to ground me and remind me that there were other things worth living for. This fugue literally helped me rebuild my will to live from the ground up and it will always be a deeply moving piece of music for me. Thank you for illustrating the concrete reasons why it is so brilliant and effective.

[@valentinasanchez5757]

Amazing way to go through a break up , im not even in a relationship but if ever experience a break up ,I might use your method

[@mustafabasar218]

the same happened to me

[@ludwigvanbeethoven8050]

I particularly resonate with that 4 note motif

[@Richard.Atkinson]

Thief!

[@graeme011]

Why don't you find your own motif, Ludwig?

[@CanelonVegano]

Where did Beethoven use it? I can't remember now and it's infuriating

[@hhhaitchhh]

@@CanelonVegano fifth symphony

[@CanelonVegano]

@@hhhaitchhh oh I thought he meant the other motif just after this haha

[@marcusyoung8007]

I sometimes write, compose music. I’m just a bit frustrated with this because I’ve never before heard a fugue so exquisitely made. Thank you for showing us this, it’s profound how good Bach really was.

[@rabbibarrykornblau9877]

Deceptive cadence at 4:49 features brief, entirely unexpected chord progression that chromatically slides to a shockingly distant F major chord (VIb of V!) Whoa!

[@ZTLChords]

Rabbi Barry Kornblau the relation is F major used as the Ger+6 of V (Ger6(Fmaj) - V(Emaj) - I(Amaj) ) then D major and all that till the end

[@vincent-ataramaniko]

​@@ZTLChords it can't be a ger +6 because there is no D#. It is indeed a deceptive cadence bringing us briefly in A minor and then returns to A major. That's why this surprising F major chord doesn't sound bright or happy. It's an incredibly small turn in A minor

[@bikkies]

I think what makes this all the more remarkable is that such rich complexity does not harm the utter beauty and charm of this piece. Being contrapuntally advanced is one thing, but making it sound so wonderful? This is why Bach remains relevant today.

[@countorringtonludlow5211]

Exactly. If one had to understand and appreciate these details to enjoy the music, we wouldn't be here.

[@MegaSga3]

More Bach please ! Thank you

[@eustachiusvonackertiban1958]

Playing the fugue gives me always a strong feeling of hope and optimism

[@davidbruce7244]

A lot of this is down to the performance. He has used all the resources of the piano to get a warm close to vocal feel.

[@harryjoseph1802]

I am loathe to let a day pass without listening to Bach's music. My auditory window to the Universe. Music of the spheres? Thank you indeed for giving me the pleasure of this analysis with your painstaking work. Post on, give me excess of it.....Harry Joseph

[@adamrepapiano]

Beautifully presented and performed. I'm currently writing a fugue myself with no prior help and this video has helped me tremendously. Thank you!

[@claudiomonteverdi7126]

The first thing I've noticed is that these two motives are literally the most common fugal phrases taught in school. The three repeated notes are often used as the head of the countersubject, whereas the second one is usually the tail if the subject has a perfect cadence at the end. I've written countless fugal exercises with these two bad boys and here Bach shows us how to use them like a master.

[@enzocypriani5055]

How can someone dislike this or ANY video from this channel????

[@graeme011]

Maybe the sound quality isn't up to scratch? Maybe the scholarly research is out of date? I can think of many reasons to click "dislike". Maybe those who click "like" are ignorant and not up-to-date on the latest musical interpretations? Ignorance might be bliss, and we all want to be happy and chilled out - but at the end of the day, it's still ignorance!!

[@nathanbegel4505]

@@graeme011 Wow... Isn't that a bit over the top?

[@cracknblast8247]

@@graeme011 You sound so ass haha

[@segmentsAndCurves]

@@graeme011 bot

[@klebersoncalanca3679]

This motive sounds like Beethoven's 5th Symphony

[@JimCullen]

That was really interesting. The piece reminds me a little of the first movement of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, not just because of the obvious similarity in main thematic material, but also because both pieces are built up based on repeated use of the same very limited set of themes.

[@Richard.Atkinson]

Yes! I've actually thought about that very connection before.

[@davcaslop]

2 days ago I played the prelude and fugue in an audition. Man, believe me when I tell you that you don't get tired of the fugue

[@trevjr]

Great, I have played this so many times and listened to Gould play it even more. I never thought of it this way. I am also reminded of your other video about repeated notes, but for the tail of the subject to also be the countersubject is amazing. And then to stretto the countersubject and the subject at the same time. Just proves how great Bach is. I have just discovered your channel and I am really enjoying it. This stuff is up my alley.

[@mkaeterna9161]

I am so thankful for this! Your clear commentary and well-conceived visuals really make it easy to see the technical inner workings of one of my favorite pieces of music.

[@m.calloway2624]

Thanks for the analysis. This is my favorite WTC fugue. Along with its mesmerizingly ingenious counterpoint, it packs an emotional wallop.

[@PianoScoreVids]

Very nice and concise video. For me as a mathematician, this piece seems so intrinsic and logical like a proof. The complexity is really amazing, and I like the warm and lovely qualities of the recording. KZbin has so many amazing videos like your channel! (People putting work into things for free because the are interested and enjoying topics)

[@J.A.Seyforth]

great analysis with the live green and red blocks, very helpful!!!!

[@paulchiuk]

Thank you for these insights into one of my favourite fugues, or just plain simply, music that I find deeply moving.

[@pijlenboog23]

Great analysis, but my god what a phenomal interpretation by the pianist! He knows his craft well

[@teeple1877]

This is amazing. It’s hard to catch all this stuff while listening to a Bach piece until you’ve heard it a lot of times

[@rameethhavenkatesh9531]

I really appreciate you taking the time out to do so many videos! It is extremely helpful. Thank you!

[@williammorley7068]

Fabulous. In the 80s when I was learning I wanted multi-colored sheet music for counterpoint. Now we have it.

[@levicollin4128]

I would love it if you did some harmonic analysis, not just thematic analysis! I love your videos. Thanks!

[@Richard.Atkinson]

I sometimes do that in some of my videos, but since there are a lot of resources out there already for learning harmony, I don't focus that much on it.

[@ironmaz1]

this is one of my favorite fugues from WTC! I cant believe I missed this video. The performance by Richter was a revelation :O [watching now]

[@charlesbronson8112]

ironmaz1 richter’s is incredible

[@OdinComposer]

This is a stunning perfomance

[@omkaraproductions7043]

This was exactly what I was looking for! Very informative!

[@wasabilai9405]

Holy cow, such a genius

[@altivoz]

¡Muchísimas gracias a la persona que le añadió los subtítulos!

[@beepbeep7358]

Bach is the god of polyphony music

[@derik2nicolai584]

A real fantastic analyzing and video making, many thanks.

[@MrRelax3737]

Very well done and a big thank you for your detailed work!! Doug G in LV

[@francobonanni3499]

I am able with your video study musical composition without attending a conservatory course. Well explained with complete illustration. Thank you so much. I agree ...more Bach but also other composers too. Thank you..

[@denisdavidoff624]

Bach, the genius of the Cosmic music and math together.

[@vernonreed1107]

This fugue was sung by the Swingle Singers on one of their albums, and sung so well and liltingly melancholic, that I decided it would be perfect to represent me at my funeral - should it ever arise! Thank you for it.

[@rabbibarrykornblau9877]

Link?

[@keescanalfp5143]

@@rabbibarrykornblau9877, swingle, bwv..., fugue in D.

[@paxwallacejazz]

I was unaware of this uncanny astounding architectural jewel. I'd been listening to the Bb minor wtc2 because Gould called it a harmonic masterpiece. Thanx for this post.

[@VolgaBargeRecords]

This is great! Never noticed how much repetition is interwoven until its pointed out explicitly.

[@jonathanbishop6461]

Great for IB analysis aid. Helps with the betterment of using actual music vocabulary when describing a piece. You're awesome dude.

[@brucermorgan]

Thanks so much for this fine study and the notation in progress ....I wish more scholars would take the time to do narratives like this, In my brief time in film score composition I have chosen 4 to 8 note themes and repeated them ,reversed them and overlapped / counterpointed the lay out in editing program where the score is displayed as you have shown. Some effective work looks so simple until the variations and layers are developed. I noticed a brief rest at the end of one or two phrases ..I will check to see if I am imagining that...THANKS AGAIN !

[@bachdon]

cannot tell you how much i thoroughly enjoy your videos!!! awesome job!!!

[@ViRrOorR]

What thehell this justblows my mind how is he able to fit in all the same melody strings like 50 times and play around with them and make is sound so effortless and perfect. Was he an alien or something?

[@pilcaroo]

It was a common practice of the time. Bach was particularly good at this, but players/composers were able to improvise fugues, similiar to how jazz musicians improvise on standards. It's incredible what people can achieve when they put they're mind into it, practice and explore.

[@ViRrOorR]

@@pilcaroo wow that is incredible. Peoples minds were so different back then. Even the way they spoke and expressed their self was so metaphorical and such. I wish I could go back in time and tell bach that he still rules to this day

[@pilcaroo]

@@ViRrOorR I was trying to say peoples mind haven't changed, just the style. But I see we have a different perspective on that. I share your appreciation of Bach's talent.

[@Koropokel]

@@ViRrOorR he sacrifices alot of rhythm in exchange for harmony and melody thats a a big part of the "trick".

[@WilfredIvanhoe]

Wonderfully made videos!

[@Guitareben]

Phenomenal. Bach is just one of a kind! Also, great analysis, thanks for sharing this with us!

[@arthurxafis]

Wonderful video thank you

[@barney6888]

I"m really growing to appreciate Aldwell's touch

[@pianomarianopiano]

Remarkable! Also amazed by the empty fifth (by leap) in m. 3, 2nd beat

[@threehermits]

That was really informative and interesting. Well done!

[@CaballeroDeLos5A]

Excelent analysis.

[@late8641]

I actually composed a similar kind of fugue that has 33 main subjects and 128 countersubjects, as well as an other one similar to the C# major fugue, but there is not a single note in the entire fugue that wouldn't belong to any theme. As a suggestion for future videos I'd recommend analyzing the fugue part of the Bach's first orchestral suite's overture.

[@victornoagbodji]

interesting! mind if i ask if you wrote it all down first, then listen to the result after? i have been watching these videos on fugues. and it is looking to me that there are rules or similar, and that once you know them, you can sit down and just jot down the notes. but i could be wrong...

[@Dobrovinskiy]

Beautiful!

[@matteogenerani5097]

Please, do “Best moments from each piece of Bach’s WTC I & II”

[@Rwnk6677]

Amazing! Almost crying. I’m learning counterpoint at this moment but I’m nowhere near this :(

[@DanFriel]

I love your videos. Thanks for posting!

[@darrenshearer1730]

I love this fugue! It’s such a jolly subject.

[@nunoareia27]

In bars 20 to 21, in the bass F#-B and then 22-23 G#-C#, both times antecipating the soprano, can be heard as a "false entry" or "half entry", something like that. At least I did :) we can always overanalyse :)

[@HAEngel-cr5gp]

Always a brilliant analysis. Thanks, Richard - I always learn so much from you!

[@tubegucker1]

Thank You! Great Analysis !

[@jesemepardens9151]

The true best Bach fugue, highly underrated

[@frankfeldman6657]

Always wished Bach had done something registrally with that final amazing stretto. It's very hard to hear and to put across.

[@Richard.Atkinson]

Yes, it's definitely one of those moments where the counterpoint is easier to discern visually rather than aurally. I've always wanted to hear it with 4 instruments that vary in timbre.

[@keescanalfp5143]

@@Richard.Atkinson, so glad that my first acquaintance of this exclusive composition was by the vocal performance of the swingle singers, a few years after 1963, just eight singers and a double bass. knew not anything about structure and analysis, but totally enjoyed the beauty of it.

[@keescanalfp5143]

but although i've never been counting, i always heard that 111th main motif, which wasn't yet colored green. it appears in bar 19, the alto answering to the bass in stretto. even sir Andras in his amazing recording seems to have overlooked it. could it be because of the half tone down, a-g#? anyway, as always: Every day is a Bach day. in my language, Bach mag, iedere dag! (Bay may, every day)

[@floriandevuyst]

Astonishing. Thank you so much Master

[@stevehinnenkamp5625]

One rare fugue played in a relaxed tempo to give us time to appreciate it is saying the same thing over and over but the context is changing to challenge we are adroit to listen. I believe peace through complex times may well be the ultimate goal of this remarkable J S BACH composition.

[@cooperwood5413]

Please do an analysis of Debussy, Ravel, or Bartok!

[@Richard.Atkinson]

I will do the finale of Bartok's 4th quartet at some point...

[@ViniciusRodrigues-nk4bs]

Debussy AND Ravel, please!

[@MaxLima1]

I am big fan of your channel!

[@PopsCoffee]

What a superb video! Thank you so much from an amateur who is trying to learn about music.

[@sebastianschweigert7117]

Great video. I did notice some weird echo sound on the piano recording.

[@mtv565]

The green theme also was used in the Little Fugue in G minor for organ.

[@arjenbij]

Where?

[@drbobbass7193]

Thank you Richard

[@labemolmineur]

Wow! What amazing counterpoint. Thank you for this. I only wish that you had highlighted the entire subject in one color, and then whenever its "tail" came on its own, that it had a different color- just so that one can follow the complete subject in its entries, separate from its fragmentation.

[@Richard.Atkinson]

I thought about having a separate outline for the full subjects when I was making this video, but I had a lot less practice making these videos back then!

[@jhummelgaard9310]

Thank you! very insightful!

[@ruslanyeleussinovgitara]

Thank you!

[@schrysafis]

I keep coming back to Bach's Art of Fugue (Die Kunst der Fuge). I'm currently in a state listening to different recordings of Contrapunctus XI. I would like an analysis. The harmonies are so divine. Thanks!

[@LesterBrunt]

I would love to see a video on Arvo Part's tintinnabuli technique in his choral works.

[@Lahmacunmatik]

The green subject keeps playing in my head!

[@helvete_ingres4717]

what a testament it is to the genius of Bach that I can look at something like this or the C-sharp minor fugue from the same book and have no doubt in my mind it's one of the greatest things ever written, but I'm nowhere near confident saying it's the best thing in the well-tempered clavier

[@easter.bunny.6]

thx you for sharing your research :D

[@dankleffmann2473]

So amazing!!!!

[@channelelectronique]

stunning!

[@andreasegli6758]

Thanks for making the Fuggenanalyse in your free time instead of playing Brawl Stars, We are from the Kantonsschule Solothurn and our music teacher Ms. Inäbnit has given us an ehrenlose task, but this helps us really

[@andreasegli6758]

Edit: You Huhrensohn, our fat teacher ms Inäbnit has said that evereverything is false and that the fugge is always dreistimmig and not 2stimmig like you did

[@my_name_is_aram]

What's your interpretation of the chord in measure 12, beat 2? When I first heard it I thought Edward Aldwell might have hit a clunker, but Glenn Gould plays it too, though it is less noticeable with his version. The chord is so crunchy and dissonant - I love it when Bach includes these. G#, A#, B, and C# all being played simultaneously.

[@hanaoshimapiano]

Would you be willing to do Bach's prelude and fugue in E Major from Book II?

[@wintypes]

Great series, very educational and captivating. Ever considered analyzing Godowsky? Maybe parts of his passacaglia and fugue?

[@10mimu]

I know this is an year old, but I can't stress how important this comment is! The Passacaglia is so worth mentioning.

[@adamdonahue2079]

This is why I love Bach. So many layers.

[@composer7325]

Magnificent.

[@tejasnair3399]

Oh my god so beautiful

[@yuishimizu3092]

Thank you for really great analysis! I think the end of bar 18 in alto part(E A Gis Fis) is also green. Is it true?

[@late8641]

Great job! The video has helped me a lot and this piece has inspired me a lot in my compositions. You explain the content clearly and understandably, and colouring the themes helps keeping track on them. Just a little remark; I think you missed one "green theme" on the alto voice in bars 18 and 19 beginning with the last quaver of the bar 18 :)

[@Richard.Atkinson]

Yes, you are right! The sad thing about KZbin is that you can't post a corrected version of a video without losing all the views/comments/links. Oh well... but thanks for the correction!

[@ThunderBolt-dc1xt]

I love what you did here- nicely done! Just one suggestion- use a better recording! It's very under tempo and should be on harpsichord. But bravo for the clarity of your analysis. It is a remarkable composition.

[@madsboyd-madsen3463]

Fascinating

[@TheGuggo]

Amazing, short, simple rather complete explanation. However I can't find this figure on Bosoni's books. Any hint of the classification of this fugue?

[@jadeapril9850]

Brilliant!!

[@mrknesiah]

Check out this strict canon for 8 voices with some fugal qualities.

[@fluxvital]

amazing

[@COYS-xy5wc]

OMG Bach is a real genius

[@ColinHarvey78]

Lovely. How about the E minor prelude and Fugue BWV 548 sometime?

[@JorgeTabaresMusic]

Bravo!

[@kasperbotma-piano3318]

50 bars : 2 sharps = 25 times the theme🙂

[@giannottister]

I think Verdi was inspired by this subject when he wrote the final fugue of Falstaff “Tutto nel mondo è burla”.

[@Xxxxxxx-i7o]

Great videos, thanks. Please do videos about poliphonyc music of Max Reger, Hinemith or Johann Nepomuk David. Greetings from Italy.

[@jackminto7062]

I like Shostakovich's D major fugue (which also has a 4-note motif) too. My own D major fugue is meh.

[@gerardosierchio]

Fugues is the highest points in a life of musicians. ...