Fugue using silences

So... I basically wrote a fugue without any sounds. The subject is made out of rests: https://youtu.be/Djw8LrC99c8?si=QibvkRTYVVJMgCVG

The thing is that somehow when I read it I can imagine melodic contours and dynamics in my mind. I feel/hear something abstract inside my head.

The thing is. If this has no sound/notes but it can suggest musical sonic ideas. Is it music? And if not, what is it exactly? 

@Henry Ng Tsz Kiu made me wonder if this could be considered a collaborative composition, because the person who reads the score is the one who fills in the gaps according to their imagination and counterpoint knowledge.

To be honest when I was crafting it I had a mindset that I was creating a joke, a prank. But as I was finishing it I realized this interesting cognitive detail and I had to share it with everyone.

I hope this was interesting to read!

Well, it's interesting
But they are different possible targets.
If it stays as it is we can go back to John Cage's 4:33.
If the idea is to have others fill in the silences with notes, or something similar, it's a kind of indeterminate music, which John Cage also devised.

Can you attach an xml file? I would like to try to do something with your proposal.

This feels like it could become a contest here on YC:  using what is given here, create a completion. 🙂

Hi @Ivan1791,

I am telling no joke, I imagine the fugue as in E minor. Even though the fugue just comprises of rests, your writing makes sense with the rhythmic variety which I remember some professor says that the essence of counterpoint is not melody but rhythm. The countersubject in augmentation in b.24 is quite a seldom occurrence for me to see.  And I like the tonic pedal at the end.

Thx for sharing this interesting one.

Henry

On 11/6/2023 at 6:15 PM, Luis Hernández said:

Well, it's interesting
But they are different possible targets.
If it stays as it is we can go back to John Cage's 4:33.
If the idea is to have others fill in the silences with notes, or something similar, it's a kind of indeterminate music, which John Cage also devised.

 

That could be a possibility. I think the best option is to try to imagine the melodies on the spot, even if it can be a bit overwhelming.

On 11/6/2023 at 7:00 PM, Luis Hernández said:

Can you attach an xml file? I would like to try to do something with your proposal.

 

Yes, although I will probably do it next Thursday because I'm not at home now. 😕

16 hours ago, pateceramics said:

This feels like it could become a contest here on YC:  using what is given here, create a completion. 🙂

 

It's a cool idea! I encourage people to try that if they want, will probably be quite challenging.

11 hours ago, Henry Ng Tsz Kiu said:

Hi @Ivan1791,

I am telling no joke, I imagine the fugue as in E minor. Even though the fugue just comprises of rests, your writing makes sense with the rhythmic variety which I remember some professor says that the essence of counterpoint is not melody but rhythm. The countersubject in augmentation in b.24 is quite a seldom occurrence for me to see.  And I like the tonic pedal at the end.

Thx for sharing this interesting one.

Henry

 

That's so interesting that it made you think about a tonality. Do you think that has any reason behind?

I agree, rhythm is key to make a fugue flow well. 

Yes, I used it to anticipate the augmentation of the main subject at the end.

You are welcome! Glad to see this was interesting to you. 🙂