Frederic Chopin ： Fugue a-moll B.144

Chopin’s posthumous Fugue in A minor, B.144, is founded on strict counterpoint, with several voices passing the subject from one to another. The subject introduced at the beginning appears successively in the different voices, and the overlapping lines create a sense of tension. Although modest in scale, the work is highly concentrated; its interweaving voices and harmonic changes are especially rewarding to hear. In performance, it is important to clarify the hierarchy among the voices and keep the subject from being obscured. Let the melodic lines sing while keeping the inner voices light, and use the pedal sparingly so that the sound does not become blurred. Avoid rushing the tempo and remain aware of the direction of each phrase.