Answer

Definition

In the context of fugue and imitative techniques, an answer refers to the second statement of the subject in a fugue, typically transposed to a different pitch. It creates a call-and-response structure between the voices, which is essential for building the contrapuntal texture characteristic of this musical form. The answer can be a real answer, where the intervals are preserved, or a tonal answer, where some intervals are adjusted to fit the key.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The answer can be categorized as either a real answer or a tonal answer depending on whether the exact intervals of the subject are maintained or modified to fit a new key.
2. In a typical fugue, the first voice presents the subject, and then subsequent voices enter with their own answers, creating a rich polyphonic texture.
3. The placement of answers throughout a fugue often follows a systematic pattern, allowing composers to explore various keys and modulations.
4. The effectiveness of an answer in creating contrast with the subject relies on how it complements or diverges from the original melodic line.
5. Composers often use inversion or augmentation techniques in the answer to further develop thematic material within the structure of the fugue.

Review Questions

• How does an answer function within the structure of a fugue and contribute to its overall texture?
  • An answer functions as a critical part of the contrapuntal framework of a fugue by providing a response to the initial subject. This call-and-response interaction between voices enriches the overall texture and harmony of the piece. The interplay between the subject and its answer allows composers to create intricate melodies while maintaining coherence in their thematic development.
• Compare and contrast real answers and tonal answers in terms of their roles in a fugue's development.
  • Real answers preserve the intervals of the original subject exactly but are transposed to another pitch, while tonal answers modify some intervals to accommodate the key. Both types play important roles in developing themes within a fugue. Real answers maintain strict adherence to the subject's contour, whereas tonal answers introduce flexibility that can enhance melodic flow and accessibility for performers and listeners alike.
• Evaluate how composers utilize answers in fugues to explore different keys and modulations throughout their compositions.
  • Composers strategically use answers in fugues to navigate through various keys and modulations, allowing for richer harmonic exploration. By varying how subjects and answers relate to each other through transposition, composers can create tension and resolution within their pieces. This exploration not only adds complexity but also showcases the composer's skill in counterpoint, making each section of the fugue engaging and dynamic while adhering to traditional forms.

Related terms

Subject: The main theme or melodic idea that serves as the foundation for a fugue, introduced at the beginning by one voice before being imitated by others.

Exposition: The initial section of a fugue where the subject and answer are presented in each voice, establishing the thematic material that will be developed throughout the piece.

Counterpoint: The relationship between two or more independent melodies that are harmonically interdependent yet maintain their distinctiveness, which is central to fugue composition.