Bach, ‘Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott Flashcards
‘Ein feste burg ist unser gott’ meaning
A mighty force is our God
What musical element is used throughout?
What is this?
Fugue
An idea gets passed around
Subject —> countersubject
Tonic —> dominant
What was the purpose of using fugue?
What religion had this aim?
More people involved in church
Translated Latin to German
Luther/Lutheran
What idea is fugue used on?
What is the idea?
Idea first appearance Mvmnt. 1
WL
The cantus firmus
Something that already exists
Bars 1-3
Elton John + Dua Lipa tune from Rocketman
What happens to the cantus firmus in bar 12? Mvmt. 1
Oboes and continuo in cannon
Rhythmic augmentation (mode, rhythm longer)
Sonority Mvmt. 1
3 oboes
2 violins
Viola
STAB choir (an instrument doubles each, similar with variations)
2 continuos
(Usually 1, 2 for strong foundation
1= large cello + harpsichord
2= organ + viola)
What was Mvmt. 1 written for?
Extra: what is a chamber cantata?
Chamber ensemble (small ensemble of instruments)
Small ensemble and choir
Texture at start
Elaborate
Texture mainly
What creates main texture? Mvmt. 1
Homophonic + doubling
Viola + tenor same
Accomp. + continuo same
Polyphonic/contrapuntal
Fugue
Element of Baroque Mvmt. 1
Ornamented + decorated
Fugue returning bar
Describe Mvmt. 1
33
Strict
Contrast of 1 and 2 continuo parts Mvmt. 1
1 more developed + busy
What is the melody based on?
Cantus firmus
Structure
Describe Mvmt. 1
ABA/sonata form
Roughly
A bar
Meaning
B bar
A’ bar Mvmt. 1
1
No intro
71
100
Compare A and A’ Mvmt. 1
A more developed
Fugue at bars 1-30
Fugue bars 30 Mvmt. 1
Mini fugue (not cantata typical)
Altered to expand: key, transposed etc
Start key
How is the harmony used (term)
Diatonic meaning Mvmt. 1
D major (home key)
Functional harmony (only to serve a purpose: modulation etc)
All notes within key + few accidentals
Modulations Mvmt. 1
WL
Some
To close related keys
Through circle of 5ths
Handel’s Hallelujah
Cadences
Lots of?
Long? Mvmt. 1
Lots
Perfect (V-I)
Suspensions
Phrases
Metre
=>
Bach’s use of metre Mvmt. 1
4/4 simple common time
Easy
Rarely compound
Very difficult meaning
Example Mvmt. 1
Virtuosic
Melismatic
Don’t say syllabic, say non melismatic
Bar 60 onwards Mvmt. 1
Starts modulating + going through circle of 5ths: mood setting
Texture Mvmt. 2
Homophonic
Melody dominated homophony (melody clear)
Accomp.
What moves the tempo/movement? Mvmt. 2
Running semiquaver moves along sop. line
Moto perpetuo throughout (semiquaver accomp.)
Sop + bass line texture
Sop plays
Bass plays Mvmt. 2
Polyphonic/contrapuntal
Ornamented variation of cantus firmus
Separate ornamented melody
Sop + oboe texture Mvmt. 2
Heterophonic: same, oboe more decorated
Describe the bass Mvmt. 2
Highly scalic + melismatic
Sequences ex. Mvmt. 2
Bar 19: descending sop
Ornamentation, bar ?
On what instruments? Mvmt. 2
Trills
26
Sop + oboe
Tessitura + meaning
Sop range
Bass range Mvmt. 2
Narrow
Where sitting vocally
9th
13th
Mvmt. 2 has, Mvmt. 1 doesn’t
Similarity between the two
Intro
Key: modulates tonic —> dominant (referencing fugue in Mvmt. 1)
Structure Mvmt. 2
Through-composed
Modulations Mvmt. 2
Not as many
Modulations Mvmt. 2
Not as many as Mvmt. 2
Suspension element
Typical for period? Mvmt. 2
4 3 suspension chords
Yes
7ths
Baroque typical? Mvmt. 2
Dominant
Yes
Metre
4/4 simple common time
Rhythms predominantly made up of
Straight/dotted/swing rhythm? Mvmt. 2
One more element
Semi-quavers
Dotted
Syncopation
What is Mvmt. 8
Choral: original Lutheran hymn tune, no embellishments
Texture Mvmt. 8
Homophonic
Intervals
Largest interval/leap?
Range
Mvmt. 8
Conjunct
Diatonic
Occasional small leaps
4th
Narrow: not very high
Chordal meaning Mvmt. 8
Made up of chords
Accomp.
Bars 1-4 Mvmt. 8
Repeated 2 bar tune
Metre Mvmt. 8
4/4 simple common time
Anacrusis meaning Mvmt. 8
Up beat
Use of crotchet and quavers Mvmt. 8
Crotchet predominant rhythm
Quavers only as passing notes
Cadences
Why typical of choral Mvmt. 8
Pauses of cadences
Slows down
How many movements does a cantata always have?
What is the end movement always?
8
Choral
