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Fugue; the movement heading for a fugal movement.
Printed as the heading of a fugal movement or section, often with the number of voices (Fuga a 3 voci, Fuga a tre voci) and a tempo word. It covers the whole fugue; a new heading or tempo marks the end.
The heading promises a full fugue: a subject entering in each voice in turn, episodes, entries in related keys and a return to the tonic. Naming the number of voices tells the performer how many lines to follow. Beethoven’s heading for the Hammerklavier finale openly admits his liberties — a reminder that the label sets expectations you may then choose to stretch.
Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major, Op. 106 (“Hammerklavier”), fourth movement, m. 22: “Fuga a tre voci con alcune licenze” — a fugue in three voices, with some licences.
Fuga is one of 1755 terms in the Gradus musical dictionary: the words, abbreviations and instrument names that appear in printed scores, plus the vocabulary composers use to talk about them.
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