Bach: The Art of Fugue (Die Kunst der Fuge), BWV 1080

Featuring

Tatiana Nikolayeva
Johann Sebastian Bach

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Notable Performances

The 20th-century revival of 'The Art of Fugue' began with a painstaking unraveling by young Swiss student Wolfgang Graeser, whose version was first heard in 1927 in Leipzig.

Critical Reception

For much of its history, 'The Art of Fugue' suffered undeserved neglect and obscurity, with only thirty copies sold by 1756.

Composer Biography

In his final years, Bach, then Cantor at St. Thomas's, Leipzig, became increasingly preoccupied with contrapuntal music, completing works like the 'Goldberg Variations' and 'Musical Offering'.

Compositional Technique

In the final triple fugue of 'The Art of Fugue', Bach included the letters of his own name (B-A-C-H) as a musical motif, setting his personal seal on the work.

Composer's Artistic Vision

While creating 'The Art of Fugue', Bach's primary aim was to exhibit the comprehensive possibilities of a single, simple musical 'subject' through various types of fugal and canonic writing.

Compositional Technique

Bach's 'The Art of Fugue' is considered a monumental intellectual tour de force that summarizes the entire known potential of counterpoint.

Composition History

In 1747, during a visit to Potsdam, Bach was challenged by Frederick the Great to improvise a six-part ricercare, which led to the creation of his 'Musical Offering'.