Bach, ‘Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott

Question 1

‘Ein feste burg ist unser gott’ meaning

Answer 1

A mighty force is our God

Question 2

What musical element is used throughout?
What is this?

Answer 2

Fugue

An idea gets passed around
Subject —> countersubject
Tonic —> dominant

Question 3

What was the purpose of using fugue?
What religion had this aim?

Answer 3

More people involved in church
Translated Latin to German

Luther/Lutheran

Question 4

What idea is fugue used on?
What is the idea?
Idea first appearance Mvmnt. 1

WL

Answer 4

The cantus firmus
Something that already exists
Bars 1-3

Elton John + Dua Lipa tune from Rocketman

Question 5

What happens to the cantus firmus in bar 12? Mvmt. 1

Answer 5

Oboes and continuo in cannon
Rhythmic augmentation (mode, rhythm longer)

Question 6

Sonority Mvmt. 1

Answer 6

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)

Question 7

What was Mvmt. 1 written for?
Extra: what is a chamber cantata?

Answer 7

Chamber ensemble (small ensemble of instruments)

Small ensemble and choir

Question 8

Texture at start
Elaborate
Texture mainly
What creates main texture? Mvmt. 1

Answer 8

Homophonic + doubling
Viola + tenor same
Accomp. + continuo same

Polyphonic/contrapuntal
Fugue

Question 9

Element of Baroque Mvmt. 1

Answer 9

Ornamented + decorated

Question 10

Fugue returning bar
Describe Mvmt. 1

Answer 10

33
Strict

Question 11

Contrast of 1 and 2 continuo parts Mvmt. 1

Answer 11

1 more developed + busy

Question 12

What is the melody based on?

Answer 12

Cantus firmus

Question 13

Structure
Describe Mvmt. 1

Answer 13

ABA/sonata form
Roughly

Question 14

A bar
Meaning
B bar
A’ bar Mvmt. 1

Answer 14

1
No intro
71
100

Question 15

Compare A and A’ Mvmt. 1

Answer 15

A more developed

Question 16

Fugue at bars 1-30
Fugue bars 30 Mvmt. 1

Answer 16

Mini fugue (not cantata typical)
Altered to expand: key, transposed etc

Question 17

Start key
How is the harmony used (term)
Diatonic meaning Mvmt. 1

Answer 17

D major (home key)
Functional harmony (only to serve a purpose: modulation etc)
All notes within key + few accidentals

Question 18

Modulations Mvmt. 1

WL

Answer 18

Some
To close related keys
Through circle of 5ths

Handel’s Hallelujah

Question 19

Cadences
Lots of?
Long? Mvmt. 1

Answer 19

Lots
Perfect (V-I)
Suspensions
Phrases

Question 20

Metre
=>
Bach’s use of metre Mvmt. 1

Answer 20

4/4 simple common time
Easy
Rarely compound

Question 21

Very difficult meaning
Example Mvmt. 1

Answer 21

Virtuosic
Melismatic

Don’t say syllabic, say non melismatic

Question 22

Bar 60 onwards Mvmt. 1

Answer 22

Starts modulating + going through circle of 5ths: mood setting

Question 23

Texture Mvmt. 2

Answer 23

Homophonic
Melody dominated homophony (melody clear)

Question 24

Accomp.
What moves the tempo/movement? Mvmt. 2

Answer 24

Running semiquaver moves along sop. line
Moto perpetuo throughout (semiquaver accomp.)

Question 25

Sop + bass line texture
Sop plays
Bass plays Mvmt. 2

Answer 25

Polyphonic/contrapuntal
Ornamented variation of cantus firmus
Separate ornamented melody

Question 26

Sop + oboe texture Mvmt. 2

Answer 26

Heterophonic: same, oboe more decorated

Question 27

Describe the bass Mvmt. 2

Answer 27

Highly scalic + melismatic

Question 28

Sequences ex. Mvmt. 2

Answer 28

Bar 19: descending sop

Question 29

Ornamentation, bar ?
On what instruments? Mvmt. 2

Answer 29

Trills
26
Sop + oboe

Question 30

Tessitura + meaning
Sop range
Bass range Mvmt. 2

Answer 30

Narrow
Where sitting vocally
9th
13th

Question 31

Mvmt. 2 has, Mvmt. 1 doesn’t
Similarity between the two

Answer 31

Intro
Key: modulates tonic —> dominant (referencing fugue in Mvmt. 1)

Question 32

Structure Mvmt. 2

Answer 32

Through-composed

Question 33

Modulations Mvmt. 2

Answer 33

Not as many

Question 34

Modulations Mvmt. 2

Answer 34

Not as many as Mvmt. 2

Question 35

Suspension element
Typical for period? Mvmt. 2

Answer 35

4 3 suspension chords
Yes

Question 36

7ths
Baroque typical? Mvmt. 2

Answer 36

Dominant
Yes

Question 37

Metre

Answer 37

4/4 simple common time

Question 38

Rhythms predominantly made up of
Straight/dotted/swing rhythm? Mvmt. 2
One more element

Answer 38

Semi-quavers
Dotted
Syncopation

Question 39

What is Mvmt. 8

Answer 39

Choral: original Lutheran hymn tune, no embellishments

Question 40

Texture Mvmt. 8

Answer 40

Homophonic

Question 41

Intervals
Largest interval/leap?
Range
Mvmt. 8

Answer 41

Conjunct
Diatonic
Occasional small leaps
4th
Narrow: not very high

Question 42

Chordal meaning Mvmt. 8

Answer 42

Made up of chords
Accomp.

Question 43

Bars 1-4 Mvmt. 8

Answer 43

Repeated 2 bar tune

Question 44

Metre Mvmt. 8

Answer 44

4/4 simple common time

Question 45

Anacrusis meaning Mvmt. 8

Answer 45

Up beat

Question 46

Use of crotchet and quavers Mvmt. 8

Answer 46

Crotchet predominant rhythm
Quavers only as passing notes

Question 47

Cadences
Why typical of choral Mvmt. 8

Answer 47

Pauses of cadences
Slows down

Question 48

How many movements does a cantata always have?
What is the end movement always?

Answer 48

8
Choral