Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Of, relating to, or in the style of a musical fugue: Describes anything that pertains to or resembles the structure, technique, or character of a fugue, a complex contrapuntal composition in which a short melody or phrase (the subject) is introduced by one part and successively taken up by others.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The composer's fugal writing in the final movement is exceptionally intricate.
  • This piece features a fugal exposition with three distinct voices.
  • The section is not strictly a fugue but has a distinctly fugal texture.

Advanced Usage

• "fugal imitation": The contrapuntal technique where a melodic idea is successively repeated in different voices, a defining feature of fugal writing.

  • The development section uses fugal imitation to build tension.

• "fugal passage": A section within a larger musical work that is constructed in the manner of a fugue.

  • The symphony includes a brilliant fugal passage in its finale.

Variants and Related Words

• Fugue (n): The musical form itself, a contrapuntal composition for a fixed number of parts or voices.

  • Bach's "The Art of Fugue" is a seminal work.

• Fugally (adv): In a fugal manner.

  • The theme is treated fugally throughout the piece.

Synonyms

• Contrapuntal: Relating to counterpoint, the technique of combining independent melodic lines, which is central to fugal music.
• Polyphonic: Consisting of several independent melodic voices, a key characteristic of fugal texture.

Related Phrases

(Note: "Fugal" is a technical adjective and does not form standard phrasal verbs or idioms in common language. Its usage is primarily confined to musical description.)

Adjective

1. of or relating to or in the style of a musical fugue