Domenico Scarlatti - Sonata/ Fuga in C minor (K. 58/ L. 158) - synthesizer (+ digital piano)

Domenico Scarlatti left us only five fugues, less than his father composed. Interestingly, this one is reminiscient of older traditions of the early baroque. With its slow tempo and tentative nature, it could very well be a "Ricercare". I love this early fugal tradition which nobody less than Johann Sebastian Bach reached back to in his very last composition, the Art of Fugue. This fugue also reminds me of his Canzona BWV 588 which is based on an ancient theme by Frescobaldi.

[@OrzoMondo]

It looks like fugues are not an exclusive territory of the master of all Fugue composers :)

[@Geopholus]

Between say 1650 & 1750 there were at least 50 fugue composers of note while between 1800 & 1900 maybe 15 who could muster a semi decent fugue.

[@andreasisenberg8700]

And D. Scarlatti's fugues are exquisite!

[@andreasisenberg8700]

@@Geopholus This would correspond to my own opinion (or prejudice). Mozart used fugal elements, e.g. in his Requiem or his late symphonies (Juppiter, isn't it?), where he employed this style with genius. But as for Beethoven's "grand fugue" (quartett), for example, I must say I don't like it.
What I find most remarkble about these older (if not ancient) composers of fugues is that they managed to write something following the formal rules, but simultaneously (sic!) beautiful and uplifting.