Bach ‘Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott’ Movement 1

Question 1

What we’re the new hyms known as?
What we’re they incorporated into?

Answer 1

Chorales
(Religion, ployphonic, polyrhythmic)
More elaborate vocal works such as cantatas

Question 2

What is a cantata?

Answer 2

Literally means ‘sung’
Extended piece of music for voices and accomp.

Question 3

What does Bach do differently with the continuo parts than in other cantata?

Answer 3

Differentiates between continuo parts- ‘violoncello e cembalo’ and ‘violone e organo’
(Harpsichord and sackbut (early trombone))

Question 4

What instruments are used?

Answer 4

Oboes
Violins
Viola
STAB choir
Continuo parts

Question 5

When was Bach alive?

Answer 5

1685-1750
Baroque

Question 6

How does the chorale melody move?

Answer 6

Mainly stepwise motion

Question 7

How many phrases does the chorale have?

Answer 7

9

Question 8

What bars are repeated at the start of the chorale?

Answer 8

Bars 1-4 repeated in bars 5-8

Question 9

Due to Bach’s congregation knowing the melody by heart, what did this mean?

Answer 9

Able to recognise melody when presented in a
rhythmically varied form
Or with
Melodic ornamentation
(As in movements I and II)

Question 10

How many of the eight movements does the chorale appear in?
Which ones are studied?

Answer 10

4
1, 2, 8

Question 11

What ornamentation was usually in the soprano parts?

Answer 11

Melismas

Question 12

What does I begin with?

Answer 12

Elaborate contrapuntal movement

Contrapuntal: independent but harmonically related melodic parts sounding together.

Question 13

What key does I start in?

Answer 13

D major

Question 14

What is there an a sense of at the start of I?

Answer 14

And instrumental prelude

Question 15

What is used instead of an instrumental prelude in I?

Answer 15

Tenors open with ornamented version of 1st phrase of chorale

Then imitated in fugal style by other voices

Fugue: main melodic idea imitated throughout piece

Question 16

After the start of I, what part of the chorale is heard?
How is it played?
With what instrument/s?

Answer 16

Opening
In cannon
Oboes and violone

Question 17

What is repeated throughout I?

Answer 17

The fugal-style imitation
Alternating with
Canonic treatment of chorale by oboes and violins

Question 18

Describe I in one word?

Answer 18

Extensive

Question 19

What instruments are used in II?

Answer 19

Oboe
Unison violins and violas
Soprano
Bass soloists
Continuo

Question 20

In II,
How is the word ‘Macht’ played?
What bars?
What does ‘Macht’ mean
Why?

Answer 20

Melisma
11-12
Might
Word-painting to make most powerful word in phrase

Question 21

What did Bach do in II due to the listeners familiarity with the chorale?

Answer 21

Add elaborate ornamentation:
From bar 12, oboe plays heavily ornamented version of soprano

Question 22

How does the soprano play the chorale in II?

Answer 22

Ornamented version

Question 23

What does the soprano sing against in II?

Answer 23

Energetic semiquaver background by violins and violas

Question 24

What does the bass soloist have in II?

Answer 24

Florid counter melody

Florid: excessive, intricate

Question 25

How does VIII use the chorale?

Answer 25

As a simple statement

Question 26

What is the harmony in VIII?

Answer 26

Four-part

Question 27

What is VIII scored for?

Answer 27

Chorus doubled by orchestra;
S (violino + oboe)
A (violino + oboe)
T (viola + taille)
Basso
And
Continuo organo

Question 28

How was VIII typical for Bach?

Answer 28

Elements made a typical ending for a Bach chorale cantata