Canon in Barry’s Quartet
Canon is a compositional technique that has been in existence for hundreds of years. It occurs when one instrument/voice imitates or copies another. There is an implied overlap of parts and is by its nature contrapuntal (counterpoint) or polyphonic.
Gerald Barry uses Canon extensively throughout this work. When asked to describe the use of Canon several pieces of information are required.
a) Whatorder do the instruments enter?
b) How far apart are they?
c) What interval are they at?
d) How many parts?
Although Canon is not a contemporary feature, Barry’s use of Canon is. He places the entries so close together that the overall sound is very dissonant even though the basic tune may be in C major as in Section A.
Canon one beat apart at the octave occurs in Sections A, and C5
C9 is a 3 part Canon a beat apart at the double octave.
C1, B2 and H feature Canon a beat apart at the unison.
Canon in octaves, a quaver apart, is featured at E1 and C6.
Not all polyphonic sections are automatically Canon.
Although it is usually recommended to try to hear everything you learn, I feel the use of Canon in this work just has to be learned off!!!!
Canon is a compositional technique that has been in existence for hundreds of years. It occurs when one instrument/voice imitates or copies another. There is an implied overlap of parts and is by its nature contrapuntal (counterpoint) or polyphonic.
Gerald Barry uses Canon extensively throughout this work. When asked to describe the use of Canon several pieces of information are required.
a) Whatorder do the instruments enter?
b) How far apart are they?
c) What interval are they at?
d) How many parts?
Although Canon is not a contemporary feature, Barry’s use of Canon is. He places the entries so close together that the overall sound is very dissonant even though the basic tune may be in C major as in Section A.
Canon one beat apart at the octave occurs in Sections A, and C5
C9 is a 3 part Canon a beat apart at the double octave.
C1, B2 and H feature Canon a beat apart at the unison.
Canon in octaves, a quaver apart, is featured at E1 and C6.
Not all polyphonic sections are automatically Canon.
Although it is usually recommended to try to hear everything you learn, I feel the use of Canon in this work just has to be learned off!!!!