Abstract

Despite the existence of many studies on Bach’s fourteen canons (BWV 1087), it is surprising that little has been published on the particular properties of the canons’ eight-note soggetto, a theme that is predisposed to generate canonic material. To address this void, the present study explains how to construct a unique soggetto that possesses canonic potential as well as how to compose replicas of the first four types of canons from BWV 1087. In proffering a method for these undertakings, the article elucidates the structure of the soggetto, canons, and presents a deeper, more pedagogical analysis of the music than has hitherto been offered.

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