Horn 1: f - bb2
Horn 2: f - bb2
Horn 3: g - g2
Horn 4: f - g2
Creator's Comments
The Fugue in G major (BWV 577), often called the “Gigue fugue” was likely written for organ by J. S. Bach in the early years of his Weimar period (1708-1717), though there is no autographed manuscript of the piece to confirm this. The fugal theme is so similar to Buxtehude’s Fugue in C major (BUX WV 174) that historians have speculated about whether either composer heard the other’s composition and was influences to write a similar fugue.
The dynamic markings (p and f) and pedal parts have raised doubts about the authenticity of the copies of the score on which this arrangement is based, yet historians do not find substantial arguments against Bach’s authorship.
Nancy Becknell made this arrangement for four horns after hearing a performance of the fugue by organist Virgil Fox. The key of F major was chosen to give all the horn parts as much middle register clarity as possible, while avoiding the extreme upper register for the first horn. The dynamics are suggested from the terrace dynamics published in the organ score. Very few crescendi and diminuendi are notated, to conform to the performance possibilities of the Bach era.
Performance Notes
Much has been said in the publisher’s comments already. The original key of the fugue is G major, so the arrangement is a 3rd higher (or a sixth lower), in B flat major (sounding pitch). As noted above, this effectively reduces the range both up and downwards, to give four interesting parts without the need for bass clef.
For those that do not know this fugue, it is in 12/8 and a moderate speed, however the theme is built on large, varying intervals, fifth, sixth, seventh, and octave leaps occur frequently. The same is true of the counter-melody, which is rhythmically less demanding, but with the same kinds of leaps. Like the original, this version alternates between 1, 2, 3 and 4-part harmony, resulting in different textures throughout the work.
An excellent arrangement, with a bit of a challenge for even more advanced quartets.