brandenburg concerto no.5 in D major

Question 1

who is this piece written by?

Answer 1

Johann Sebastian Bach (1721)

Question 2

what is the structure of this piece?

Answer 2

ternary structure (ABA)

Question 3

what key is the piece in?

Answer 3

D major (for most of the A sections)

Question 4

what happens to the key in the B section?

Answer 4

modulates to the dominant key (A major) and relative minor (B minor)

Question 5

what does diatonic mean?
true or false: this piece is diatonic

Answer 5

any stepwise arrangement involving only notes proper to the prevailing key without chromatic alteration.
true.

Question 6

what are the standard chords of the time?

Answer 6

I, IV and V (with occasional use of II and VI)

Question 7

give five harmonic devises used within this piece

Answer 7

• dominant sevenths in various inversions
• functional harmony
• mainly root positions and first inversion chords
• perfect cadences announce the ends of sections
• suspensions

Question 8

two points about Bach

Answer 8

• Bach is regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era.
• he worked mainly as a church organist, music director and composer in Germany

Question 9

who was Bach’s employer?

Answer 9

Prince Leopold preferred not to have elaborate church music, so Bach’s duties were mainly confined to secular music. He wrote much instrumental music during this time.

Question 10

context to Chamber Music

Answer 10

there was a core of 8 or 9 professional musicians who were supplemented on occasion by musicians from the town and elsewhere. performances were held in rooms in the castle.

Question 11

when were the Brandenburg Concertos written and how many of them were there?

Answer 11

there are 6 Brandenburg concertos that were written between 1711 and 1720. in 1721 they were dedicated to Christian Ludwig, the Margrave of Brandenburg.

Question 12

what is the metre?

Answer 12

2/4 metre (duple time). it could also be notated in 6/8 compound time.

Question 13

this piece is a Baroque gigue. what does this mean?

Answer 13

a fast, lively dance in duple metre.

Question 14

give 3 rhythmic devices in this piece

Answer 14

• triplets
• dotted rhythms
• semiquaver runs in harpsichord

Question 15

what is the texture of this piece?

Answer 15

contrapuntal (polyphonic)

Question 16

what is the texture in the opening of the piece?

Answer 16

the opening is in fugal style

Question 17

give 4 points about the texture

Answer 17

• 2 part imitation on subject
• flute and violin occasionally play in 3rds
• doubling in unison
• tonic pedal in bass line

Question 18

give 5 melodic devises used in this piece

Answer 18

• mainly conjunct with some leaps
• scalic runs, especially in harpsichord
• rising sequences
• ornamentation in harpsichord (tills)
• appoggiaturas in main section

Question 19

are there many dynamic markings in this piece?

Answer 19

• no dynamic markings for harpsichord
• few dynamic markings for other instruments

Question 20

give 6 points about sonority/performing forces

Answer 20

• concerto grosso
• continuo with figured bass
• extended virtuoso solo part for harpsichord (unusual)
• ripieno with 1 violin
• concertino with flute, violin and harpsichord
• baroque flute made of wood with finger holes and 1 metal key