AoS1 - Brandenburg

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Concerto Grosso

Question 2

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

Answer 2

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

Question 3

What instruments are in the concertino?

Answer 3

Solo Flute
Solo Violin
Solo Harpsichord

Question 4

What instrumentalists made up the ripieno?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What is unusual about the harpsichord part in the Brandenburg?

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

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

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

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

Answer 7

The basso continuo, or continuous bass line

Question 8

Which instrument starts the whole piece?

Answer 8

Solo violin

Question 9

What are the typical features of Baroque Music?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

What is a basso continuo?

Answer 10

A continuous bass line

Question 11

What is figured bass?

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What makes the harpsichord line virtuosic?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

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

Answer 13

Wooden instead of metal, with no mechanisms

Question 14

What are terraced dynamics and why were they used?

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

How was dynamic variation created?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

What is the overall structure of Brandenburg 5?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What is the overall texture of Brandenburg 5?

Answer 17

Polyphonic/contrapuntal (several independent melodic strands sounding together)

Question 18

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

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

What does fugal mean?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

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

Answer 20

The solo violin, playing the Subject

Question 21

Who plays second, and what are they playing?

Answer 21

The solo flute, playing the Answer

Question 22

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

Answer 22

Two part imitation

Question 23

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

Answer 23

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

Question 24

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

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Is the melody line conjunct or disjunct?

Answer 25

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

Question 26

What does scalic mean and where can it be found?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

There is ornamentation in the song. What is included?

Answer 27

Trills in the harpsichord part

Question 28

What is the tonality of the piece?

Answer 28

Major for the most part.

Question 29

What key is Section A in?

Answer 29

D Major

Question 30

What key is Section B in?

Answer 30

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

Question 31

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

Answer 31

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

Question 32

What is functional harmony?

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Which two positions of chords are mainly used?

Answer 33

Root and first inversion

Question 34

How are the ends of phrases announced?

Answer 34

With a perfect (V-I) cadence

Question 35

What is the metre of the piece?

Answer 35

2/4 - simple duple time

Question 36

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

Answer 36

Gigue - a dance like song

Question 37

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

Answer 37

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

Question 38

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

Answer 38

Semiquavers

Question 39

What is dialoguing and how is it used?

Answer 39

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

Question 40

What does “stretto” mean?

Answer 40

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