Bach-Brandenburg Concerto No.4 In G movement 1

Question 1

What are the rhythmic features of this piece?

Answer 1

• This movement is in a fast 3/8 (Allegro).
• Almost continuous semiquavers throughout.
• Frequent syncopation between ripieno and concertino.
• Hemiola before solo/episode sections.

Question 2

What are the structural features of this piece?

Answer 2

• Ritornello form.
• Modulations mark different stages of the structure.
• The middle Ritornelli always end with the equivalent of the last 15 bars of the opening ritornello.
• Episodes are played by the concertino (soloists).
• Ritornello sections are played by everyone. Ripieno (orchestra) and concertino (soloists).

Question 3

What are the textural features of this piece?

Answer 3

• There are little printed dynamics so dynamics are enhanced by changes in texture.
• There is a concertino (soloists) and ripieno (orchestra) and harpsichord continuo.
• The texture is mainly melody dominated homophony.
• There is a sparsely accompanied solo in the violin in an episode.
• After the opening ritornello there is a passage for solo violin accompanied by intermittent chords.
• Brief snatches of imitation/canon.

Question 4

What are the harmonic features used in this piece?

Answer 4

• Functional and mainly diatonic.
• Most of the chords are in root position and first inversion triads.
• Neoplitan 6th used when music moves to a minor key (1st inversion of the flattened super tonic).
• Dominant 7ths.
• Half diminished chords.
• A circle of 5ths modulates the music from G to D major.
• Pedal notes.
• Suspenions.
• Sequences.

Question 5

What tonality features are there in this piece?

Answer 5

• Modulations mark the different stages of the structure.
• Starts in G major.
• Modulates to relative keys, chord IV V in home key and relative minor key of E-.
• Ritornello sections mark points of modulation.
• Ritornello 1 G major.
• Ritornello 2 E minor.
• Ritornello 3 C major.
• Ritornello 4 B minor.
• Repeat of opening Ritornello G major.
• Circle of 5ths modulates to other keys.

Question 6

What are the melodic features in this piece?

Answer 6

• Recorders play mostly 3rds and 6ths apart.
• Ascending and descending scales.
• Arpegios and broken chord figures.
• Fortspinnung refers to continuation from the lead motif. Short motifs are ‘spun’ out into longer melodic lines.
• Sequence inversion, varied repetition.

Question 7

What extra features are in this piece?

Answer 7

-Terraced dynamics.
-Tutti=Whole ensemble playing=Forte
Concertino=Piano.
-Double and triple stopping.
-Range of 3 octaves in violin.

Question 8

What is the date and era?

Answer 8

• Composed 1717-1722.

- Baroque