AoS1 - Brandenburg Flashcards Preview

GCSE 9-1 Music > AoS1 - Brandenburg > Flashcards

Flashcards in AoS1 - Brandenburg Deck (40)
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1
Q

If there is a group of soloists accompanied by a small ensemble or orchestra, what type of work is it called?

A

Concerto Grosso

2
Q

What are the two ensemble groups that are part of the concerto grosso?

A

Concertino and Ripieno
The concertino are the small group of instrumentalists
The ripieno are the larger group of accompanying instruments

3
Q

What instruments are in the concertino?

A

Solo Flute
Solo Violin
Solo Harpsichord

4
Q

What instrumentalists made up the ripieno?

A
Small string orchestra made up of:
Violins 
Violas 
Violincellos (cellos)
Double basses
5
Q

What is unusual about the harpsichord part in the Brandenburg?

A

The harpsichord plays a solo role which was uncommon in the Baroque era. This piece was the first concerto ever to feature a solo harpsichord.

6
Q

What is the name for the part played by the harpsichord left hand, usually written with numbers underneath, and what does it mean?

A

Figured bass - the harpsichord player would be given numbers instead of notes to “realise” the harmonies. They would have to work out how to play the harmonies.

7
Q

What is the name of the part played by the harpsichord (when not playing a solo) and the cello/double bass?

A

The basso continuo, or continuous bass line

8
Q

Which instrument starts the whole piece?

A

Solo violin

9
Q

What are the typical features of Baroque Music?

A
Ornamented melody lines
Establishment of major/minor tonal system
Use of diatonic chords
Use of basso continuo
Sequences, pedals and suspensions 
Prevalence of one mood 
Terraced dynamics (loud or quiet, no in-between)
Use of the Baroque orchestra
Different musical textures used
10
Q

What is a basso continuo?

A

A continuous bass line

11
Q

What is figured bass?

A

A bass line which is numbers instead of notes, and the numbers are “realised” by the harpsichord player

12
Q

What makes the harpsichord line virtuosic?

A

Long, fast, scalic passages of semiquavers including trills and a complicated solo line

13
Q

How was the Baroque flute different to the modern day flute?

A

Wooden instead of metal, with no mechanisms

14
Q

What are terraced dynamics and why were they used?

A

Where the music is either loud or quiet, with no crescendos or diminuendos. This was because the harpsichord couldn’t do gradual changes of dynamics.

15
Q

How was dynamic variation created?

A

Adding or taking away instruments, which also added to the texture

16
Q

What is the overall structure of Brandenburg 5?

A

Largely ternary, ABA.
A=1-78
B=79-232
A=233-end

17
Q

What is the overall texture of Brandenburg 5?

A

Polyphonic/contrapuntal (several independent melodic strands sounding together)

18
Q

What are the differences between the A Section and the B Section?

A

A is in D Major mostly. There are some parts in A Major (dominant). On the other hand, B is in the relative minor, B Minor.
B has a different theme to A, however there are similarities.

19
Q

What does fugal mean?

A

A style which uses imitation almost all the way through. THIS PIECE IS NOT A FUGUE, but uses fugal characteristics

20
Q

Who starts the whole piece off, and what are they playing?

A

The solo violin, playing the Subject

21
Q

Who plays second, and what are they playing?

A

The solo flute, playing the Answer

22
Q

What is it called when the flute and solo violin are playing their parts alongside each other?

A

Two part imitation

23
Q

What is it called when the harpsichord and the two other soloists are playing?

A

Four part counterpoint. The harpsichord counts as 2 parts, as its LH and RH.

24
Q

What is it called when the bass line in the middle section stays on a B? What is the purpose of this device?

A

A pedal on the note B helps the listeners to identify with the new key

25
Q

Is the melody line conjunct or disjunct?

A

Conjunct - stepwise. There are a couple of leaps at some points.

26
Q

What does scalic mean and where can it be found?

A

The parts sound like scales running up and down, and this is common in the solo harpsichord part.

27
Q

There is ornamentation in the song. What is included?

A

Trills in the harpsichord part

28
Q

What is the tonality of the piece?

A

Major for the most part.

29
Q

What key is Section A in?

A

D Major

30
Q

What key is Section B in?

A

Parts are in B Minor (relative minor) and other parts are in A Major (dominant)

31
Q

The music is said to be diatonic - what does this mean?

A

The chords used are within the original key… it doesn’t go off anywhere too randomly.

32
Q

What is functional harmony?

A

Mainly use of chords I, IV and V, but sometimes II.

33
Q

Which two positions of chords are mainly used?

A

Root and first inversion

34
Q

How are the ends of phrases announced?

A

With a perfect (V-I) cadence

35
Q

What is the metre of the piece?

A

2/4 - simple duple time

36
Q

What term is used to describe the tempo, rhythm and metre of this piece?

A

Gigue - a dance like song

37
Q

Though it isn’t correct, why does it sound like it’s in 6/8 time?

A

Because it uses triplets and dotted rhythms, giving the 6/8 feel to it.

38
Q

What type of notes are commonly used by the harpsichord right hand part?

A

Semiquavers

39
Q

What is dialoguing and how is it used?

A

Where the parts are in conversation with each other - sort of like call and response

40
Q

What does “stretto” mean?

A

Where a part comes in earlier than expected, adding to the intensity of the music