Bach, 'Little' Fugue in G minor, Organ

Bach, "Little" Fugue in G minor, BWV 578, performed on organ by Stephen Malinowski, with an animated graphical score.
FAQ

Q: How can this be played with just two hands?
A: It can't. It's played on the organ, and one of the melodic lines is played by the feet, on a pedalboard. Here's a video showing what that's like:

Q: I appreciate the animated graphical scores you make; how can I support your work?
A: Thank you! The easiest way to support my work is by contributing via Patreon:
If you'd like to help in more specific way, consider this:

Q: Where can I get free sheet music for this piece?
A: Here are a few places:

Q: Is there a version for piano?
A: Here's an arrangement I made:
and here is one of Olga Samaroff's arrangements
(much better than mine)

Q: I thought you said you never did remakes!
A: In 2013 Pearson hired me to make some videos for their "Listen to This" music appreciation package, and I decided that for this piece, it would be better for them to have an organ version, so I made one.

Q: What instrument is that?
A: It is two Ahlborn-Galanti modules (one Baroque, one not).

Q: Could you please do a video of _________?
A: Please see:

[skatr]

Those first 15 seconds does something to my soul I can’t describe

[Moribus_Artibus]

by god, it must be insanely difficult to get all that counterpoint in the right order....
four different voices and they all intertwine together so perfectly!!

[thekantor]

Hear how the subject hops around keys.

0:05 A (G)
0:20 B (D (Interval of a fifth in G minor))
0:40 A (G)
0:55 B (D)
1:18 A (G (The sensation of returning from the fifth back down to the root is a satisfying musical phenomenon. This grounds the song and prepares for our next movement into other intervals))
1:44 C (B♭ (Interval of a minor third in G minor))
2:08 C (B♭)
2:38 D (C (Interval of a fourth in G minor))
3:18 A (G (Ending in a plagal manner where we started, G minor. This is significant because plagal cadences (4th to root "amen" cadence) are related to Christian music, and Bach was known to be extremely Christian))

Finally finishing with a resplendent G major chord. Bach signs at the end of all his works, Soli Deo Gloria - "Glory to God alone". We can hear him clearly sign this piece musically in the same manner when looking at the subject within the Fugue. His last two chords are a typical 5-1 resolution.

Lets take a look at the unrelated filling between the subjects of the fugue. I like to think of it as jelly filling, because its not the doughnut, but filler that is sort of used as an intermission / connector.

We note that for the first three bits of filling are all generally moving downward, giving us a feeling that it shouldn't end soon.

1:09
1:58
2:21

But for the last piece of filling...

2:50

We find that it dips down, but then soars upwards, leading into the final resolution.

Another thing of note - for each of the A sections where the subject presents itself starting on the G note:
Youll notice that at each of these sections, the farther you progress through the work, the subject goes down in pitch : It begins in G in the top voice in the beginning, but finishes with the subject being played by the pedals (low pitch) in the end.

[jkenyon]

This video is 10 years old and it's still my go to video for teaching students what a fugue is.

[harryb]

Truly the epitome of incredible musical genius...There will NEVER be another Johan Sebastian Bach.

[frozenflame]

This fugue was stuck in my head and took me FOREVER to find it. So relieved.

[borrowingmoonlight]

I cannot get over this piece. Literally this ONE piece of music has made me see classical, baroque, and romantic music in a whole new light.... I used to struggle through the sheet music but being able to see it set out in this manner has made me see the sheer genius in the way he made the pieces fit. My appreciation is lifted and I am humbled v.v

[josiahricafrente]

The fact that only one guy is playing this whole thing is just nuts.

[engineergaming]

*HIGHER HE'S FLYING TOO FAST AND FLYING TOO HIGH HIGHER AN EYE FOR AN EYE THE LEGEND NEVER DIE*

[nicholasharshbarger]

This video shows the mathematical and musical genius of Bach. I don’t know how he made all of that fit together perfectly.

[mohammedcohen]

...thing I like is you watch every note AND listen as it's played...I used to sit with the headphones on and the sheet music in front of me and follow along...it's amazing how much you actually miss unless you read the music as it's played...I miss those days...

[CPT]

When this was featured in MegaMan Legends, I had no idea this was an actual classical song. Here, I thought it was just done for the game and the game’s musical team was just THAT gifted.

[morkymuc]

Starts so modestly and simpe and becomes so complex and enchanting without effort. One of my favourite pieces by Bach. Magical!

[GSXK]

I remember the first time I heard Bach's "little fugue, " it was used on a public radio program back in the mid 90's in the Bay Area. I was like, what is that music!
I went to a record store to search it out. loved Bach ever since.

[SuzukiYNathie]

My grandfather used to sing this to me when I went to bed. He died recently, and this brings back so many memories.

[ShiverMeTimbers]

The Red Baron but it's just the intro

[noko]

bach's fugues are always so perfect. this one in particular is almost like a tutorial on how to write one. what a genius he was

[jonnyj.]

Holy shit, that part where it goes from major back to minor during that whole section from 2:20 to 2:44 is one of the best bits of music ive ever heard. Those chord progressions are so cool sounding, and really modern. Like it could come out of a game or movie :D

[newworldcrypto]

This is one of Bach’s most phenomenal masterpieces! I
Never get tired of listening to this because of how brilliantly this was written

[theshapeexists]

Nobody writes things like this anymore because they can't. I remember listening to this as a kid and when it first hits that low G before it goes to major I got goosebumps. I still do as a middle aged guy. Ive heard this played in a church and it sounds badass