| The word **Fugue** (//Fuga//) is ancient. It is to be found in the old composers' works; but they did not apply it in the same sense as it is used nowadays. They called it by this name, counterpoints in imitation, whereof the cantilenas of plain-song furnished the themes, and in which canons are occasionally to be met with. In the present day, the name of //fugue// has been given to a developed and regular composition, unknown to ancient composers, and which, indeed, could not be known to them, since their tonal system did not assort with what we call //tonal fugue// - as will be seen farther on. ((See what is said on this point by Padre Martini, in his treatise on Counterpoint.)) | The word **Fugue** (//Fuga//) is ancient. It is to be found in the old composers' works; but they did not apply it in the same sense as it is used nowadays. They called it by this name, counterpoints in imitation, whereof the cantilenas of plain-song furnished the themes, and in which canons are occasionally to be met with. In the present day, the name of //fugue// has been given to a developed and regular composition, unknown to ancient composers, and which, indeed, could not be known to them, since their tonal system did not assort with what we call //tonal fugue// - as will be seen farther on. ((See what is said on this point by Padre Martini, in his treatise on Counterpoint.)) |