Contrapunctus XV (J. S. Bach’s massive work, The Art of Fugue, is a summation of his powers as a composer of contrapuntal music. Each fugue is a masterpiece in its own right. Number 15 is an unfinished four-voice, quadruple fugue. Only the first three subjects are introduced, the third being a chromatic subject built from the letters of Bach’s name B (B-flat), A, C, H (B-natural). Just at the point where all three subjects are combined, the manuscript breaks off, and C. P. E. Bach wrote in the score that the composer has died. Bach clearly intended that the original "Art of Fugue" theme was to be the final subject and all four themes would combine in a glorious climax. Whether he intended to finish the work or leave it up to others to complete is conjecture. About 8 minutes in length. )
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