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Arts & Culture

Counterpoint and Harmony in Baroque Fugues

Quick fact

In a typical fugue by J.S. Bach, every single note simultaneously serves two masters: it participates in a melodic line and belongs to a chord that governs the larger harmonic movement.

Why this is interesting

A fugue can sound like a whirlwind of independent melodies, yet every note is locked into a precise harmonic framework. How do multiple voices move freely while still creating clear chord progressions?