soggetto cavato
Italian composer
Definition
A subject 'carved out' of a set of solmisation syllables derived from words or letters. In Froberger's Fantasia sopra Ut Re Mi Fa Sol La (FbWV 201), the subject is derived from the ascending hexachord, and in FbWV 204 from the notes Sol La Re — a musical cipher.
Interpretive Guidance
When playing a soggetto cavato fantasia, the subject should be perceptible in every contrapuntal entry even as it is transformed. Slightly weight the leading note of each subject entry against the surrounding counterpoint so the listener can trace it through the texture.