AoS1 - Brandenburg Flashcards
If there is a group of soloists accompanied by a small ensemble or orchestra, what type of work is it called?
Concerto Grosso
What are the two ensemble groups that are part of the concerto grosso?
Concertino and Ripieno
The concertino are the small group of instrumentalists
The ripieno are the larger group of accompanying instruments
What instruments are in the concertino?
Solo Flute
Solo Violin
Solo Harpsichord
What instrumentalists made up the ripieno?
Small string orchestra made up of: Violins Violas Violincellos (cellos) Double basses
What is unusual about the harpsichord part in the Brandenburg?
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.
What is the name for the part played by the harpsichord left hand, usually written with numbers underneath, and what does it mean?
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.
What is the name of the part played by the harpsichord (when not playing a solo) and the cello/double bass?
The basso continuo, or continuous bass line
Which instrument starts the whole piece?
Solo violin
What are the typical features of Baroque Music?
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
What is a basso continuo?
A continuous bass line
What is figured bass?
A bass line which is numbers instead of notes, and the numbers are “realised” by the harpsichord player
What makes the harpsichord line virtuosic?
Long, fast, scalic passages of semiquavers including trills and a complicated solo line
How was the Baroque flute different to the modern day flute?
Wooden instead of metal, with no mechanisms
What are terraced dynamics and why were they used?
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.
How was dynamic variation created?
Adding or taking away instruments, which also added to the texture
What is the overall structure of Brandenburg 5?
Largely ternary, ABA.
A=1-78
B=79-232
A=233-end
What is the overall texture of Brandenburg 5?
Polyphonic/contrapuntal (several independent melodic strands sounding together)
What are the differences between the A Section and the B Section?
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.
What does fugal mean?
A style which uses imitation almost all the way through. THIS PIECE IS NOT A FUGUE, but uses fugal characteristics
Who starts the whole piece off, and what are they playing?
The solo violin, playing the Subject
Who plays second, and what are they playing?
The solo flute, playing the Answer
What is it called when the flute and solo violin are playing their parts alongside each other?
Two part imitation
What is it called when the harpsichord and the two other soloists are playing?
Four part counterpoint. The harpsichord counts as 2 parts, as its LH and RH.
What is it called when the bass line in the middle section stays on a B? What is the purpose of this device?
A pedal on the note B helps the listeners to identify with the new key
Is the melody line conjunct or disjunct?
Conjunct - stepwise. There are a couple of leaps at some points.
What does scalic mean and where can it be found?
The parts sound like scales running up and down, and this is common in the solo harpsichord part.
There is ornamentation in the song. What is included?
Trills in the harpsichord part
What is the tonality of the piece?
Major for the most part.
What key is Section A in?
D Major
What key is Section B in?
Parts are in B Minor (relative minor) and other parts are in A Major (dominant)
The music is said to be diatonic - what does this mean?
The chords used are within the original key… it doesn’t go off anywhere too randomly.
What is functional harmony?
Mainly use of chords I, IV and V, but sometimes II.
Which two positions of chords are mainly used?
Root and first inversion
How are the ends of phrases announced?
With a perfect (V-I) cadence
What is the metre of the piece?
2/4 - simple duple time
What term is used to describe the tempo, rhythm and metre of this piece?
Gigue - a dance like song
Though it isn’t correct, why does it sound like it’s in 6/8 time?
Because it uses triplets and dotted rhythms, giving the 6/8 feel to it.
What type of notes are commonly used by the harpsichord right hand part?
Semiquavers
What is dialoguing and how is it used?
Where the parts are in conversation with each other - sort of like call and response
What does “stretto” mean?
Where a part comes in earlier than expected, adding to the intensity of the music
