Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No.5, third movement

Question 1

Melody

Answer 1

• the melody builds on a two-bar subject, which is then developed into a countermelody and answer motif
• the harpsichord accompaniment is a rising sequence in bars 114 to 118

Question 2

Harmony and tonality

Answer 2

• a pedal is used often in the cello and double bass, from bars 11 to 104
• the harmony is diatonic
• perfect cadences are used to signal important moments, eg at the end of section A, in bar 78
• section A is in the key of D major, but modulates to A major and E major
• section B is in B minor (relative minor of D major), modulating to F# minor, A minor and E minor

Question 3

Structure and texture

Answer 3

• ternary form, ie A-B-A - section B is contrasting to section A
• the piece is contrapuntal - section A is fugal in particular
• there is a monophonic texture in the first two bars
• there are homophonic moments in section B

Question 4

Metre and rhythm

Answer 4

• the concerto sounds as if it is written as a gigue - in compound time - but it is written in 2/4 with lots of triplets
• the time signature is 2/4 or simple time

Question 5

Timbre (sonority)

Answer 5

concertino (soloists) - flute, violin, harpsichord
ripieno (orchestra) - violin, viola, cello, double bass
continuo – harpsichord

Question 6

Dynamics and tempo

Answer 6

• as is typical of the Baroque period, the dynamics are not printed
• a harpsichord (continuo and solo role) is not capable of changing its dynamics
• the tempo is allegro, or quick