Fugue in G minor

A long line against quicker motion

This fugue survives as an unfinished Mozart fragment; the supplied score continues it with Simon Sechter’s historical completion. The opening upper voice unfolds slowly with chromatic movement, while quicker notes enter around it. That difference in pace is central to the listening experience. The important question is not which hand has the tune, but which line needs to remain present while another becomes active.

At the keyboard

Practise the slower line alone and hear where it is heading. Add the quicker voice softly, keeping the long notes for their full written lengths. Work by voices as well as by hands: one hand may have more than one musical responsibility. Then reverse your attention and listen for the moving line without allowing the sustained part to disappear.

Music in this edition

1. Fugue in G minor