A puzzle canon, riddle canon, or enigma canon is a canon in which only one voice is notated and the rules for determining the remaining parts and the time intervals of their entrances must be guessed (Merriam-Webster). “The enigmatical character of a [puzzle] canon does not consist of any special way of composing it, but only of the method of writing it down, of which a solution is required” (Richter 1888, 38). Clues hinting at the solution may be provided by the composer, in which case the term “riddle canon” can be used (Scholes, Nagley, and Whittall n.d.). from Anthony Mondon
Musical Cryptography: a method in which the musical notes A through G are used to spell out words, abbreviations, or secret codes
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Selected Canons (open score) – with portraits of composer and librettists
Baude Cordier (1380-1440): “Belle, Bone, Sage” – original manuscript in the shape of a heart
Baude Cordier (1380-1440): “Tout par compas” (circle canon) – manuscript animation
Taio Cruz (b.1980): “Dynamite” – four-part (round) choral warm-up
Michael McDonald (b.1952): “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” – can’t stop laughing
W. A. Mozart (1756-1791): 4 Puzzle Canons, K. 73 (close score)
W. A. Mozart (1756-1791): 7 Vocal Canons, KV 553-561 (open score)
W. A. Mozart (1756-1791): Canon for four voices, in C major, Anh. 191, K 562c (open score) – each voice enters one step below the previous entrance
Johannes Ockeghem (1410/25-1497): Missa Prolationum, “Kyrie” (open score)
Johannes Pachelbel (1653-1706): Pachelbel Rant by RobPRocks from 2006 – love this
Henry Purcell (1659-1695): “Come, let us drink”, Z 245 – fine wine
Henry Purcell (1659-1695): “Once, twice, thrice I Julia try’d”, Z 265 – adult language
Pierre de la Rue (c.1452-1518): Missa l’Homme arme, “Agnus dei” (4v prolation canon) – manuscript animation
Richard Sampson (d. 1554): “Salve Radix” (double circle canon) – manuscript animation