Improvising Fugue: A Method for Keyboard Artists

Improvising Fugue: A Method for Keyboard Artists is a guide for those who aspire to the highest levels of fluency as inventors of spontaneous music at the piano, fortepiano, harpsichord, organ, or digital keyboard. Written for professional performers, conservatory students, and devoted amateurs, this book leads the reader along the arduous journey from score dependency to improvisational freedom.

Improvising Fugue begins with a comprehensive course in 18th century Italian partimento, the system of musicianship training that simultaneously strengthens improvisation, counterpoint, harmony, keyboard skills, and audiation. The reader then encounters fugue improvisation in a gradual, methodical, and rigorous manner. Every concept is accompanied by extensive and clear explanation, examples from music literature, and practical exercises. The book covers every aspect of fugue improvisation in depth, including subjects, countersubjects, tonal and real answers, episodes, presentations, pedal points, and stretti.

Author John J. Mortensen draws on experience as a concert improviser on the international stage; the book's pragmatic, real-world instruction comes from a seasoned performer who knows firsthand exactly what is required to improvise fugues in the presence of a live audience.