Art of Fugue: Contrapunctus 1, J. S. Bach

J. S. Bach's The Art of the Fugue is often avoided as a listening experience by many listeners, fearing that this work--and any works with the term 'fugue' attached--will be too academic for the ears of laymen.  Bach would probably agree with me when I say that, if a fugue doesn't grab the listener as simply a piece of music, it should be considered a failure even as a fugue.

This first fugue: Contrapunctus 1, is probably one of the most approachable fugues ever written.  As with all the fugues in The Art of the Fugue, there is no indication as to what instruments are to play each line of music.  Some scholars consider that such pieces are meant to be played on the harpsichord or the organ; more modern scholars consider that a string ensemble is best suited for the job.  In this video, the parts have been assigned to--top to bottom--a flute, an English horn, a viola, and a bassoon, respectively.  (The tenor is doubled very softly by a marimba, to give it a little crunch.)


Archie

Max Parallax!

Max Parallax, a fabulous band that has been rocking the Tucson scene for several years, are on the brink of releasing their first commercial EP (an Extended Play CD of just 6 tracks).  These tracks were recorded more than a year ago, but the group was so insistent on perfection that the tracks were only finalized this month!  With my privileges as a special Web personality, I had access to the tracks already, for several minutes.

Unfortunately, because I also know most of the band members personally, I have to be tactful.  I cannot say that the tunes are, well, fine.  I have to say that they are BRILLIANT!  But get them on Spotify, and Itunes, and Amazon, and wherever else good music is sold, and listen for yourself!

[01] Bugs Away.  This rocking track has a solid beat, and features the lead vocalist Uma, backed with the entire group singing backing harmonies.  There are hidden political messages, with a lot of humor!

[02] Swell.  The initial theme for this album, I was told, was the movie Interstellar.  The lyrics of this track refer to being submerged in the swell of a huge wave.  There is an undercurrent of danger throughout the song, and a feeling that you might be knocked off your feet at any moment.

[03] Out of Body, No Experience. You might get the impression that these people love puns; I certainly did.  The music is another story completely; this highly atmospheric track, again using heavy multi-tracked vocals, evoke a scene out of a frightening dream.  The long introduction with harmonics on the guitar set the tone for the unreal feeling of the tune, accented by the dance rhythm of the piece.

[04]  No Time for Caution.  This is the title track.  This song has a heavy beat, and in addition, the lyrics create a mood fraught with anxiety, or at least a parody of anxiety.  The vocal line is relatively uncluttered, and we can appreciate the sound of Uma's voice without overlays.

[05]  Amoebas.  The whole album has a theme of eerie science and experiment, and this song carries it further with its subject of bio-luminescence.  The opening bars have a descending motif on the guitar, which is supported by a descending bass line, which seems to descend even further than its range should allow.  (Troy owns a special five-string bass, but in this track I'm not sure that he uses that instrument with the extended range.)  It seems to me that all the little extra touches have been perfectly calculated, not least the accents in the percussion.  This track, too, ends abruptly, which is sort of a hallmark at this point in the development of the Max Parallax unique sound, but unlike some of the other songs, the last chord is allowed to resonate until it fades out.

[06] What Happens In the Future Stays in the Future. This last track is a lighthearted commentary on time travel.  The group accentuates the frolicsome mood by having Uma sing scat vocalizations in a jazz style in an interlude.  Many Max Parallax fans have declared that this is their favorite track (while others have voted for Amoebas).

The lighthearted mood of some of the tracks, and the savage puns in the lyrics belie the efforts gone into the production of this initial CD.  This is a great CD, and we hope that Max Parallax keeps up the quality of their recordings!

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