For any composer, the fugue genre is a challenge, an essential step in demonstrating his or her mastery of composition. Many have devoted themselves to this exercise. But it is still very difficult to put into words the “recipe” for a successful fugue : and so fewer have transcended the exercise to deliver sublime music, a true work of art... This programme presents an anthology of the greatest fugues for quartet.

 

Bach : 1st fugue from The Art of Fugue

Mozart : Finale of the Spring Quartet No. 14 K.387

Bach : 3rd fugue from The Art of Fugue

Shostakovich : Finale of the 7th Quartet

Bach : 9th fugue from The Art of Fugue

Beethoven : Finale of the Quartet op.59/3 (Razumowsky)

(Intermission)

Bach : 7th fugue from The Art of Fugue

Beethoven : Great Fugue op. 133

Bach : 17th and last fugue from The Art of Fugue