Redistribution–Organ Literature

Bach Fugue

This passage presents a series of rapidly-moving parallel sixths, all notated in the treble clef. Tempo and performance style eliminate finger substitution as a possible solution. The stretch is too wide for finger crossing. Therefore, to play the soprano and alto parts in the right hand alone would have several negative effects:

• The resulting “hopping thumb” fingering would probably produce a more choppy effect than desired.
• Tempo would tend to bog down at this point.

The solution offered here, although not easy to execute, offers greater control by allowing both hands once again the use of direct fingering. This was made possible by redistribution of the inner part.