Real answer

Definition

In the context of music, a real answer is a specific type of imitation found in fugal writing where the subject is repeated at the same interval as it was originally presented. This technique helps to create a cohesive and structured dialogue among voices in a fugue, maintaining the integrity of the thematic material while allowing for variation in texture and harmonic development.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Real answers typically occur in strict counterpoint, where each voice mirrors the original subject exactly or at a specified interval.
2. In a real answer, the intervallic relationships between notes are preserved, which helps to maintain the character of the original subject.
3. Real answers are contrasted with tonal answers, where the interval structure may change to fit the harmonic context.
4. This technique is fundamental in creating unity and coherence within a fugue, as it reinforces thematic material while allowing for varied treatment.
5. Real answers often contribute to the tension and resolution within a fugue, as composers strategically use them to build musical narratives.

Review Questions

• How does a real answer function within the structure of a fugue?
  • A real answer functions as an essential element of a fugue by repeating the subject at the same interval as it was first presented. This repetition helps maintain thematic consistency across different voices, reinforcing the cohesiveness of the piece. By using real answers, composers can create intricate dialogues between voices, enhancing both texture and complexity within the fugal framework.
• Compare and contrast real answers and tonal answers in fugal writing.
  • Real answers maintain the exact intervallic relationships of the original subject, while tonal answers may alter these intervals to fit the harmonic framework. Real answers contribute to structural integrity by preserving thematic material, while tonal answers allow for greater flexibility and adaptation of themes. Both types of answers serve to enrich counterpoint in fugues but achieve this through different means.
• Evaluate how the use of real answers can impact the emotional character of a fugue.
  • The use of real answers can significantly shape the emotional character of a fugue by establishing a clear connection between voices through thematic repetition. This coherence can evoke feelings of unity and resolve tension created by earlier passages. Composers strategically incorporate real answers to guide listeners through emotional landscapes, allowing for both predictable structures and moments of surprise as variations unfold.

Related terms

fugue:

A compositional technique characterized by systematic imitation of a principal theme (the subject) in simultaneously sounding melodic lines (voices).

subject: The main theme or musical idea that is introduced at the beginning of a fugue and subsequently developed and imitated by other voices.

counter-subject: A secondary theme that accompanies the subject in a fugue, often providing contrast and depth to the overall texture.