fugued

fugued

A pianist played a fugued piece on the grand piano.

Definition

Adjective (Music): "Fugued" describes a musical composition or passage that is written in the style of a fugue, a complex contrapuntal form where a theme (subject) is introduced and then imitated by different voices in succession. It indicates that the music has a fugal structure or character.

Usage Examples
  • The final movement of the symphony is fugued, with the main theme echoing through all the instruments. (The movement is composed in a fugue style, with the melody repeated by different sections.)

  • Bach's organ works are often highly fugued, showcasing intricate counterpoint. (Many of Bach's organ pieces use the fugue form extensively.)

  • The fugued passage in the concerto was both technically demanding and emotionally stirring. (The section written as a fugue required skill and conveyed deep feeling.)

Advanced Usage
  • "Fugued texture": A musical texture characterized by overlapping, imitative voices typical of a fugue.

    • The composer employed a fugued texture in the chorus, creating a rich, layered sound. (The choir sang with overlapping melodic lines in fugue style.)
  • "Fugued episode": A section within a larger work that is composed as a fugue.

    • The fugued episode in the middle of the sonata provided a dramatic contrast to the lyrical opening. (The fugue-like passage added tension and complexity.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Fugue (noun): A musical composition in which a short melody or phrase (the subject) is introduced by one part and successively taken up by others and developed by interweaving the parts.

    • The fugue is one of the most rigorous forms in classical music. (The fugue is a strict and structured style.)
  • Fugal (adjective): Relating to or resembling a fugue.

    • The fugal structure of the piece required precise timing from all musicians. (The piece's form was based on fugue principles.)
  • Fuguist (noun): A composer or performer of fugues.

    • Bach is considered the greatest fuguist in Western music history. (Bach was a master of composing fugues.)
Synonyms
  • Contrapuntal: Relating to counterpoint, where two or more independent melodies are combined harmoniously.
  • Polyphonic: Having many sounds or voices; music with multiple independent melodic lines.
Related Idioms
  • Fugal technique: The method of composing or performing a fugue.

    • The fugal technique involves strict imitation of the subject across voices. (The method requires careful repetition of the theme.)
  • Fugue state (unrelated usage): A psychological term for a temporary loss of identity or memory, though not a musical meaning.