In music, an invention is a short composition (usually for a keyboard instrument) in two-part counterpoint. (Compositions in the same style as an invention but using three-part counterpoint are known as sinfonias. Some modern publishers call them "three-part inventions" to avoid confusion with symphonies.) Well-known examples are the fifteen inventions that make up the first half of Johann Sebastian Bach's Inventions and Sinfonias. Inventions are usually not performed in public, but serve as exercises for keyboard students, and as pedagogical exercises for composition students.
first bars of J.S. Bach's 4th invention in D minor (BWV 775).
Inventions are similar in style to a fugue, though they are much simpler. They consist of a short exposition, a longer development, and, sometimes, a short recapitulation. The key difference is that inventions do not generally contain an answer to the subject in the dominant key, whereas the fugue does. Two-part and three-part inventions are in contrapuntal style.
Exposition
In the exposition, a short motif is introduced by one voice in the tonic key. This is also known as the theme. The subject is then repeated in the second voice in the tonic key while the initial voice either plays a countersubject or plays in free counterpoint.
Development
The development comprises the bulk of the piece. Here the composer develops the subject by writing variations either melodically or harmonically. This usually involves the alternation of episodes with statements of the theme, similar to the development of a fugue. In minor- and major-mode inventions, the theme is typically restated in the relative major and the dominant, respectively. New key areas are reached through episodes, which usually move sequentially through the circle of fifths. The final episode ends on a half cadence in the original key, and is often exaggerated to make the subject sound extra special when it returns.[1] Many of Bach‘s Inventions follow this plan, including BWV 775 and BWV 782.
Recapitulation
If an invention does have any recapitulation at all, it tends to be extremely short—sometimes only two or four measures. The composer repeats the theme in the upper voice and the piece ends. The repetition of the theme contains very little variation (or no variation at all) on the original theme. The lower line usually plays the countersubject, and if there is no countersubject, plays in free counterpoint.
History
The invention is primarily a work of Johann Sebastian Bach. Inventions originated from contrapuntal improvisations in Italy, especially from the form of the composer Francesco Antonio Bonporti. Bach adapted and modified the form to what is considered to be a formal invention. Bach wrote 15 inventions (BWV 772–786) as exercises for his son, Wilhelm Friedemann Bach. Bach later wrote a set of 15 three-part inventions, called sinfonias (BWV 787–801).
^ David Fuentes, "Figuring out Melody" "Figuring out Melody". Retrieved 2012-01-04.
External links
history and analysis of Bach's inventions
January 25, 2023
invention, musical, composition, music, invention, short, composition, usually, keyboard, instrument, part, counterpoint, compositions, same, style, invention, using, three, part, counterpoint, known, sinfonias, some, modern, publishers, call, them, three, par. In music an invention is a short composition usually for a keyboard instrument in two part counterpoint Compositions in the same style as an invention but using three part counterpoint are known as sinfonias Some modern publishers call them three part inventions to avoid confusion with symphonies Well known examples are the fifteen inventions that make up the first half of Johann Sebastian Bach s Inventions and Sinfonias Inventions are usually not performed in public but serve as exercises for keyboard students and as pedagogical exercises for composition students first bars of J S Bach s 4th invention in D minor BWV 775 Contents 1 Form 1 1 Exposition 1 2 Development 1 3 Recapitulation 2 History 3 See also 4 External linksForm EditInventions are similar in style to a fugue though they are much simpler They consist of a short exposition a longer development and sometimes a short recapitulation The key difference is that inventions do not generally contain an answer to the subject in the dominant key whereas the fugue does Two part and three part inventions are in contrapuntal style Exposition Edit In the exposition a short motif is introduced by one voice in the tonic key This is also known as the theme The subject is then repeated in the second voice in the tonic key while the initial voice either plays a countersubject or plays in free counterpoint Development Edit The development comprises the bulk of the piece Here the composer develops the subject by writing variations either melodically or harmonically This usually involves the alternation of episodes with statements of the theme similar to the development of a fugue In minor and major mode inventions the theme is typically restated in the relative major and the dominant respectively New key areas are reached through episodes which usually move sequentially through the circle of fifths The final episode ends on a half cadence in the original key and is often exaggerated to make the subject sound extra special when it returns 1 Many of Bach s Inventions follow this plan including BWV 775 and BWV 782 Recapitulation Edit If an invention does have any recapitulation at all it tends to be extremely short sometimes only two or four measures The composer repeats the theme in the upper voice and the piece ends The repetition of the theme contains very little variation or no variation at all on the original theme The lower line usually plays the countersubject and if there is no countersubject plays in free counterpoint History EditThe invention is primarily a work of Johann Sebastian Bach Inventions originated from contrapuntal improvisations in Italy especially from the form of the composer Francesco Antonio Bonporti Bach adapted and modified the form to what is considered to be a formal invention Bach wrote 15 inventions BWV 772 786 as exercises for his son Wilhelm Friedemann Bach Bach later wrote a set of 15 three part inventions called sinfonias BWV 787 801 See also EditEtude David Fuentes Figuring out Melody Figuring out Melody Retrieved 2012 01 04 External links Edithistory and analysis of Bach s inventions overview of inventions from the Northern Arizona University Website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Invention musical composition amp oldid 1029024730, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
