J.S.Bach Brandenburg.

J.S.Bach Brandenburg.

1. Introduction

   • Set of 6 Concertos
   • 'Concerti Grossi' because of accompanyinh 'Ripieno' (Mainly strings and continuo)
   • Combined with a select group of soloists, the 'concertino'.
   • Bach oved working with the form of Three movement compositions
   • Note: numbers 3+6 DO NOT have any solo instruments.
   • Musical Elements
     • Form
       • 'Quasi Ritornello
       • no clear cut distinction between 'Ripieno' and 'Concertino'.
       • Both sections seem to play most of the time (tutti)
       • 'Ritornello' is a series of short themes reappearing (rondo-like) in various keys, with soloists (the concertino) playing episodes in between.
     • Structure
       • Rit = Ritornello
       • Con = Concertino
       • Bar 1-8, (Rit 1), F Major
         • Bar 9-10, (Con 1), F Major
           • Bar 11-12, (Rit 2), F Major
             • Bar 13-14, (Con 2), F Major
               • Bar 15-16, (Rit 3), C Major
                 • Bar 17-18, (Con 3), C Major
                   • Bar 19-20, (Rit 4), C Major
                     • Bar 21-22, (Con 4), C Major
                       • Bar 23-28, (Rit 5), C Major
                         • Bar 29-30, (Con 5), F Major
                           • Bar 31-39, (Rit 6), D Minor
                             • Bar 40-59, (Rit 7), D Minor-C Major-F Major-Bb Major
                               • Bar 60-67, (Con 7), G Minor-Eb Major
                                 • Bar 68-83, (Rit 8), C Minor-G Minor
                                   • Bar 84-93, (Con 8), G Minor-D Minor-A Minor
                                     • Bar 94-118, (Rit 9/10), A Minor-F Major
     • Texture
       • Mainly Dense
       • Many examples of various motifs interacting simultaneously
     • Tonality
       • Home Key: F Major
       • Occasionally Minor: e.g. Bar 68 - C minor; Bar 88 - D minor
       • Examples of Modulations
         • C Major (Dominant)
         • D minor (Relative minor)
         • Bb Major (Sub-dominant)
         • Eb Major (Flattened Leading Note)
         • C minor (Dominant minor)
         • G minor (Supertonic)
         • A minor (Mediant minor)
     • Harmony
       • Diatonic
       • Dominant 7th (root position) (Con 7- 51)
       • Dominant 7th 4/2 (third inversion) (52)
       • Major triad 6/3 (First inversion) (72)
     • Techniques + Devices
       • Rising Sequence (bars 96-97) OBOE
       • Sequence (bars 33-34) FLUTE
       • Sequence (bars 76-79) SOLO TRUMPET
       • Falling sequence (bars 77-79) VIOLA
       • Syncopation (bar 50-55; 107-112) VIOLIN 1 - ripieno
       • Cadences: Perfect (bar 8;28;39;83;93)
       • Imitation (bar 96-98) SOLO VIOLIN + FLUTE
       • Arpeggio based (bar 1-2) TRUMPET
       • Reduced instrumentation (bar 60-67) Concertino + continuo
     • Instrmentation
       • Concertino Soloists
         • Tromba: Trumpet ( no valves in Bach's Day). Written a 4th lower that the sound.
         • Flauto: (Flute a bec): Recorder
         • Oboe
         • Violino: Violin
       • Ripieno
         • Violin I
           • Violin II
             • Viola
               • Cello
                 • Double Bass
                   • Harpsichord/ Cembalo continuo
     • Score Indications
       • Tasto Solo: (bar 102-103): Harpsichord, play the notes without filling in harmonies.
       • all unisono: Cello/Bass and Harpsichord play in unison.