Bach Cantata Ein Feste Burg

Question 1

What is a cantata?

Answer 1

A work for voices and instrumental accompaniment

Question 2

When was the Bach cantata piece composed?

Answer 2

1723-1731

Question 3

What is a cantus firmus?

Answer 3

A pre-existing melody used as the basis for a polyphonic composition

Question 4

When was the cantus firmus of this piece composed?

Answer 4

1529 by Luther himself

Question 5

What is the instrumentation of Movement 1 and 8?

Answer 5

SATB choir with vocal lines closely doubled by orchestra

Question 6

What is the tonic key of the cantata?

Answer 6

D major

Question 7

What is the texture of Movement 1?

Answer 7

Contrapuntal and fugal

Question 8

What is the countersubject of Movement 1?

Answer 8

Based on second phrase of Luther’s hymn tune

Question 9

What is the tonal answer of Movement 1 like?

Answer 9

Subject transposed down a fourth to be on the dominant

Question 10

What is the relationship between the oboe and second continuo in Movement 1?

Answer 10

The unembellished cantus firmus is played in canon

Question 11

What is the overall harmony?

Answer 11

Diatonic and functional, with perfect cadences used to confirm modulations

Question 12

What is the harmonic device used in Bar 16 of Movement 1?

Answer 12

4-3 suspension

Question 13

What is the metre of Movement 1?

Answer 13

4/2

Question 14

What is used in Movement 1 to give forward drive to the music?

Answer 14

Tied notes

Question 15

What is the word setting of Movements 1 and 2?

Answer 15

Melismatic

Question 16

What voices is Movement 2 scored for?

Answer 16

Soprano and bass duet

Question 17

What is the role of solo oboe in Movement 2?

Answer 17

Almost doubles the soprano line

Question 18

What is the texture of the introduction and postlude of Movement 2?

Answer 18

Melody-dominated homophony

Question 19

What is the texture between the soprano and bass in Movement 2?

Answer 19

Contrapuntal

Question 20

What is the texture between the soprano and oboe in Movement 2?

Answer 20

Heterophonic

Question 21

What is the texture of the last two bars of Movement 2?

Answer 21

Homophonic

Question 22

What ornament is commonly used in the soprano and oboe in Movement 2?

Answer 22

Trill

Question 23

What is the metre in Movement 2?

Answer 23

Common time

Question 24

What is the main rhythm of Movement 2?

Answer 24

Semiquavers (moto perpetuo in opening)

Question 25

What is the tonality in Bar 9 of Movement 8?

Answer 25

G major

Question 26

What is the tonality in Bar 10 of Movement 8?

Answer 26

E minor

Question 27

What is the texture of Movement 8?

Answer 27

Homophonic

Question 28

What cadence is used in Bar 10 of Movement 8?

Answer 28

imperfect

Question 29

What is the metre of Movement 8?

Answer 29

Common time

Question 30

What happens at the end of each phrase of Movement 8?

Answer 30

Pauses which halt the tempo

Question 31

What are the rhythms used in Movement 8?

Answer 31

Crotchets with quaver passing notes