Topmusicanswers
- Why are Bachs inventions called inventions?
- Are Bach inventions fugues?
- What is an episode in an invention?
- Are Bach's inventions polyphonic?
Why are Bachs inventions called inventions?
The invention is primarily a work of Johann Sebastian Bach. Inventions originated from contrapuntal improvisations in Italy, especially from the form of the composer Francesco Antonio Bonporti. Bach adapted and modified the form to what is considered to be a formal invention.
Are Bach inventions fugues?
Bach's inventions were simpler than the fugues he composed for collections like The Well-Tempered Clavier. Most were two-part inventions, where two voices play in contrapuntal harmony. Bach also composed three-part inventions, which he referred to as sinfonias.
What is an episode in an invention?
There is no clear definition for invention. After the exposition a transition - called episode in fugue terminology - using material from the subject leads to the key of the dominant or in the case of minor key invention to the relative major. ...
Are Bach's inventions polyphonic?
invention. A polyphonic keyboard composition in two or three voices exploring imitative counterpoint featuring one or more recurrent fugues known as motives. The term invention is unique and somewhat peculiar to Bach and a few of his contemporaries.
