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Fugue: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŽถ
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fugue

 

[fjuหษก ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

musical composition

A fugue is a piece of music in which a short melody or phrase is introduced by one part and successively taken up by others and developed by interweaving the parts.

Synonyms

canon, counterpoint, imitation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
fugue

Used in classical music to describe a composition where a short melody or phrase is introduced by one part and successively taken up by others and developed by interweaving the parts.

  • Bach's 'The Art of Fugue' is a renowned work showcasing intricate counterpoint.
  • The composer wrote a complex fugue for the orchestra.
counterpoint

Used to describe the technique of combining distinct melodic lines in a musical composition. It emphasizes the relationship between these lines.

  • The counterpoint in this symphony is particularly striking.
  • Students studied the rules of counterpoint to learn how to write music with multiple independent lines.
canon

Refers to a piece of music where a melody is played and then imitated by another part starting at a different point. It can also mean a body of works accepted as official or recognized.

  • Pachelbel's Canon in D is one of the most famous pieces in Western classical music.
  • The novel quickly became part of the literary canon.
imitation

In music, this describes the repetition of a melody in a polyphonic texture shortly after its first appearance in a different voice. More generally, it can mean copying or mimicking someone or something.

  • Imitation is a common technique in Baroque music.
  • The child's imitation of the actor was spot on and very funny.

Examples of usage

  • Bach's 'Art of Fugue' is a masterpiece of contrapuntal music.
  • The fugue in this symphony showcases the composer's skill in thematic development.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'fuga', meaning 'flight', which reflects the way melodies in a fugue can seem to escape and intertwine.
  • In music, the term has been used since the 16th century to describe a specific structure and style of composition.
  • The idea of 'flight' is also linked to how the initial theme can leave and reappear in various forms throughout the piece.

Music Theory

  • A fugue typically starts with a main theme, called the subject, which is presented in one voice and then imitated by others.
  • Fugues are often composed in a counterpoint style, where two or more melodic lines are played at the same time, creating a rich texture.
  • Famous composers who have mastered this style include Johann Sebastian Bach, whose work continues to influence musicians today.

Psychology

  • In psychology, 'dissociative fugue' is a condition where a person may temporarily lose their sense of personal identity, often following trauma.
  • This term reflects the notion of escaping one's life or memories, showing that the term 'fugue' resonates beyond music.
  • The condition can lead individuals to start new lives in different places without recalling their past.

Pop Culture

  • Fugues appear in modern film scores and television, often to represent complex emotions or transitions in the plot.
  • The term and concept are sometimes used metaphorically in stories or songs, symbolizing a sense of escape or transformation.
  • In the video game 'Assassin's Creed', the concept of memory and identity is explored in a way reminiscent of musical fugues.

Literature

  • Some authors have drawn parallels between fugue structures in music and narrative techniques, layering stories like melodies.
  • In poetry, the idea of repeating themes can create a rhythm much like a musical fugue, emphasizing connection and complexity.
  • Literary techniques often explore themes of identity and memory, echoing the psychological aspects of the term.

Translations

Translations of the word "fugue" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น fuga

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคซเฅเคฏเฅ‚เค—

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Fuge

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ fugue

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั„ัƒะณะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ fuga

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒ•ใƒผใ‚ฌ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท fugue

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ fuga

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท fรผg

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํ‘ธ๊ฐ€

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ููˆุฌ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ fuga

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ fuga

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ต‹ๆ ผ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ fuga

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ fรบga

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั„ัƒะณะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒคแƒฃแƒ’แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ fuga

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ fuga

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,637, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.