Perpetual Anticipation: Sondheim's Musical Canons

Now it begins, now we start (again)

A canon is one of the oldest and most satisfying kinds of musical architecture.

In its simplest form, it’s a melody that harmonizes perfectly with itself when begun at different times. You have almost certainly known several musical canons since you were very young indeed. Think of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” “Frère Jacques,” or “London’s Burning.”

But c…