Fugue of the Volga Boatmen

Description

Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, English Horn, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2, Contrabassoon — See the program note on the inside front cover. Here's an interesting new take by P.D.Q. Bach on a traditional Russian folk song. Written for the unusual instrumentation of piccolo, flute, oboe, English horn, two bassoons, and contrabassoon, there is a descending "grunt" added to the serious fugue in the song, giving it a complicated and amusing twist. When the theme is played inverted or backwards, the grunts follow suit! Fugue of the Volga Bo atmen, S. 1-2-3-Grunt is one of very few new publications from P.D.Q. Bach, so this piece is a special opportunity. For high school-level players. Duration: 2' 40"