Bach's Art of Fugue: A Timeless Musical Conversation

Bach's final work, The Art of Fugue, initially failed to gain popularity due to its complex counterpoint, clashing with the prevailing melodic tastes of the time. However, nearly a century later, it achieved widespread recognition. This article explores the structure and characteristics of the first fugue in The Art of Fugue, from its unique open score format to various instrumental arrangements. It cites Joseph Kerman's perspective on its seemingly casual yet profound musical language and its commonalities with jazz. The author also demonstrates a novel approach to learning and appreciating this music by blending it with modern rhythms.