Georg Friedrich Händel ： Fugue in E-Dur HWV 612

Händel’s Fugue in E major, HWV 612, is built on the bright, poised sonority of E major, developing as a single subject is introduced and passed imitatively among the voices. The tension created by the overlapping lines, along with the sense of unity each time the subject returns, forms one of the work’s main points of interest. It is important to maintain an overview of the overall flow, clearly project the subject, and balance the counterpoint and inner voices so that they do not become buried. Thoughtful fingering helps keep each voice independent; with limited reliance on the pedal, even and light articulation, and natural breathing, the beauty of the counterpoint can be brought out.