The Cat's Fugue

Details

The Cat's Fugue by Greg Anderson (based on a fugue subject by Domenico Scarlatti) / Two pianos / Full score / Difficulty: Advanced / Duration: 3 minutes / Pages: 5 / Copyright: 2007 / Work number: 19 / Appears on the album Reimagine / Spotify / Apple Music

Program Notes

According to an eighteenth-century legend, Domenico Scarlatti was struck by inspiration after a cat tiptoed across the royal harpsichord at the Spanish Court. He composed a fugue, using as its theme the stumbling line of errant notes produced by the feline’s paws.

This is my own fugue built on that very same theme. Fugues, with their intricate structure and complex contrapuntal techniques, are often perceived as dry, academic exercises. Yet they have surprising potential to reward listeners when several independent musical voices (four in this instance) coalesce to form something greater than the sum of their parts. Following those seemingly random pitches, this fugue for two pianos eventually finds its order, but not without a few gleeful detours along the way. Think of it like small gears coming together to drive a steam engine… or, perhaps, like kittens assembling into a flash mob and joyously romping over the keys.

— Greg Anderson