Peer Review

Analysis of Bach's Fugue BWV 871 in C minor (WTC Book 2)

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Overview:: An analysis of Bach's Fugue BWV 871 in C minor with musical notation and sound. The author demonstrates the use of stretto, augmentation, and inversion/contrary motion.
Type of Material:: Animated score with audio playback.
Recommended Uses:: To teach students about fugue, its form, counterpoint and vocabulary.
Technical Requirements:: Web enabled browsers with audio playback, Flash and speakers.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: To identify the parts of the fugue and provide examples of stretto, augmentation and inversion/contrary motion.
Target Student Population:: AP music theory students; University music students.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: The student must understand music notation and the definition of Stretto, augmentation, inversion and contrary motion before viewing this animated analysis.

Rating:
Strengths:: The animation of this musical analysis is engaging and will clearly exemplify the points this author wishes to make.
Concerns:: The viewer needs to understand some of the basic definitions of fugue and specifically the definition for stretto, augmentation, inversion and contrary motion for this analysis to have full impact. Individual notes do not highlight as music is played. Sound quality is based on computer sound and not an actual keyboard recording.

Rating:
Strengths:: The animated musical analysis does a great job is marking the moments where the technical terms of this analysis are concerned.
Concerns:: Would be more beneficial if music notation (all individual pitches) highlighted as it was performed on an actual instrument and not based on a computer program/sound quality. Once the recording begins, it must play out in its entirety.

Rating:
Strengths:: The animation plays well without any user intervention. The playback user interface allows for the uer to return to previous pages or advance to others in order to compare/contrast the various areas of the fugue.
Concerns:: None.

Other Issues and Comments:: Useful analysis but more detail could have been given in the written material. Once the recording begins, it must play out in its entirety. One cannot stop recording to focus on a specific measure or replay a specific measure.
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