Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In a fugal style: In a manner that is characteristic of or resembles a fugue, a complex contrapuntal musical composition.

Usage

• The term "fugally" is used almost exclusively in musical contexts to describe how a piece of music is composed or performed. It specifies that the musical texture or development follows the principles of a fugue.

Examples

• Adverb:
  • The composer developed the main theme fugally in the final movement. (The composer elaborated the main theme using the contrapuntal techniques of a fugue in the final movement.)
  • This section is written fugally, with the subject introduced in each voice in turn. (This section is composed in the style of a fugue, with the main melody presented successively in each independent part.)

Advanced Usage

• "to treat a theme fugally": to develop a musical subject using fugal techniques like imitation and counterpoint.
  • Bach was a master at treating simple melodies fugally. (Bach was exceptionally skilled at developing simple melodies using the complex structure of a fugue.)

Variants and Related Words

• Fugal (adj): Pertaining to or of the nature of a fugue.
  • The piece has a fugal section in the middle.
• Fugue (n): A polyphonic composition based on one or more themes, which are introduced by each voice in succession and developed contrapuntally.

Synonyms

• Contrapuntally: In a style involving counterpoint, the relationship between independent melodic lines. (This is a close synonym, though "fugally" is more specific to the strict structure of a fugue.)
• Polyphonically: In a style involving multiple independent melodic voices sounding simultaneously.

Notes

• "Fugally" is a technical term from music theory. It is not commonly used in everyday language. There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs associated with this specific adverb.

Adverb

1. in a fugal style