Soul Bass Concerto - III. Fugue

Xavier Foley
Piece Duration: 4:02

About this Piece

"Soul Bass Concerto" was commissioned by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra!

Program Note: "[Soul Bass Concerto] tips its cap to the music of its composer’s youth – and in particular 'Soul Train,' the iconic televised dance party that ran for 30 years at the end of the 20th Century and the beginning of this one. [...] Its closing Fugue places its driving and groovy theme squarely into the middle of European tradition. Soul Bass showcases its composer’s unique and distinctive cultural voice just as much as it does his extraordinary instrumental virtuosity." - Spartanburg Philharmonic

Notable Passages

Time Stamp: 15:06 — 15:28
Description:

The soloist begins the fugue! This opening is full of double stops, where the performer plays two strings at the same time!


Keywords: Cadenza - Form , Double Stops , Fugue , String Instruments

Time Stamp: 15:28 — 15:57
Description:

The composer brilliantly combines the fugue and the concerto in this passage! While the orchestra plays the opening fugal subject, the soloist's countersubject continues to stay in the spotlight, almost as a solo that's played over what should usually be the focus of the fugue!


Keywords: Concerto , Fugue , Solo and Ensemble

Time Stamp: 15:56 — 16:25
Description:

A second subject is introduced by the soloist!


Keywords: Fugue

Time Stamp: 16:24 — 17:46
Description:

The orchestra and solo bass begin using call and response!

The orchestra calls with second subject, and the bass answers with soloistic responses.


Keywords: Call and Response

Time Stamp: 17:46 — 18:35
Description:

The soloist takes a cadenza!


Keywords: Cadenza - Form

Time Stamp: 18:35 — 19:08
Description:

To end the movement, we hear the opening fugal subject return!


Keywords: Fugue

Join our community to learn about new database features and be part of the conversation that will grow its impact and reach.

We respect your privacy and never share your information.