Canon for Six Voices

Six singers sharing one idea

The six-voice setting turns one line into a social and musical challenge. This edition uses a historical text, and the work’s attribution has been questioned. Neither words nor authorship should be silently simplified into a story about Mozart’s intentions. Begin with the music and wording supplied here.

Keep each entrance independent

Learn the line together before dividing into six entries. Build the texture gradually and check that later singers still hear the pulse. Try rehearsing final syllables separately: clear endings help listeners distinguish overlapping phrases. Let the humour come from shared timing and intelligible delivery rather than a contest to sing more loudly.

Music in this edition

1. Canon for Six Voices