Anatomy Room
Canon alla Duodecima in Contrapunto alla Quinta
Canon at 12th degree, 2 voices, 2/2 beat, 78 bars.


A piece with two voices is mainly divided into the first half and the latter.
The lower voice precedes in the first half, and the upper voice chases it at
twelve degree higher. In the latter half, the two voices are interchanged by
double counterpoint at twelfth degree which is applied throughout this
piece and partly in Cp.9.

The variant common theme is presented at the beginning. The original form
of the theme is shown in blue form bar 1-8 in the music below.



From bar 9, the upper voice starts chasing its leader at twelfth degree
higher, that is, fifth degree higher while stating the theme. This piece can
be said a fugue and what we call ゛Fuga Canonica゛ in ゛musical offering゛.

The figure in 6 consecutive notes at the beginning of the theme is often
employed in the piece and　bearing stretto-like effect, in bar 9 and bar 33
and so forth.

Bar 33 is the beginning of the latter half and the next bar 34 starts
presenting the theme in the upper voice that is to be chased by the lower
voice from bar 42. This switching of voices is double counterpoint at
twelfth degree and is practically a canon at eighth degree.



Now you may understand that the melody in the lower voice between bar
37 and bar 41, and the previously mentioned melody in the lower voice
between bar 12 and bar 16(the latter is in dominant key, though) are the
same. To emphasize on the use of double counterpart, making it possible
for two voices to be interchanged, the melody between bar 12 and bar 16 is
correspond to the melody between bar 45 and bar 49 with fifth degree
difference. (bar 37 starts at ゛b゛ and bar 45 starts at ゛f゛)



Now the tonic key dominates from bar 68 presenting the theme in the
lower voice again. The melody between bar 71 and bar 75 is five degree
higher, as well as bar 45 and bar 49. After reaching bar 75, the music
comes back to bar 9, so the melody takes the original place.



Once again, another double counterpoint at twelfth degree is applied to the
melody between bar 74 and bar 75, and bar 76 and bar 77. Shown in blues in
the music is fifth degree difference. This piece of work is truly a
masterpiece, sticking to double counterpoint until the very end.

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