Der Herr denket an uns (BWV 196): fugue (Er segnet...)

What is counterpoint? What’s a fugue, and why is that musical structure so tied to the idea of Bach’s work? The answer lies not only in the most towering and imposing works of fugue, but also the most simple and graceful. This early wedding cantata features a small moment of fugue so sublimely perfect that it seems like it must have always existed. As it flows along like an inevitable river, each of its parts begin separately but go through an identical natural progression of musical material as all the others. The words point to a blessing upon a newly formed family. 

https://youtu.be/YNjAHgMMsFs?t=140

https://www.bachvereniging.nl/en/bwv/bwv-196/

Hey! Are you still reading this episode description? Do you want to try and listen for each subject entry in the fugue? This fugue is perfect for it. From the beginning to the end of the fugue, the subject entries are in this order: 

• Soprano (solo; NBS uses soloists for the first batch of subject entries!)
• Alto soloist
• Tenor soloist
• Bass soloist
• Violin 2
• Violin 1
• Cello (in a rare case for Baroque music, this cello is separate from the main bass part)
• Alto singers WITH viola 
• Soprano singers with violin 2
• Bass singers with cello and other bass instruments
• Tenor singers with viola
• Soprano singers with violin 2
• By the time that last entry ends, everything from the fugue turns into concluding material until the end. 

You could also try sticking with ANY entry through all four (!) of its chunks of musical material (subject and following three “countersubjects”) up until near the end when they leave the pattern to start concluding the music. It’s worth a few repeated listenings. Try it!

• The fugue subject is the simple falling melody on the words "Er segnet das Haus Israel."
• Countersubject 1 begins with fast notes and has the words "er segnet das Haus Aron."
• Countersubject 2 is the most active, filled with all fast notes on mostly just the word "segnet."
• Countersubject 3 is a simple rising melody to complement the subject. Its text is "...das Haus Aron, das Haus Aron."