Baroque: Chorale

Question 1

What was the first collection of chorales and when was it published?

Answer 1

J. Walther’s Songbook

Published in 1524

Question 2

How do chorales link in with the Reformation?

Answer 2

The chorale originated with Martin Luther translated sacred songs into German for use in the Protestant church (so that ordinary people could ‘sing with understanding’)

He even adapted secular folk and popular songs of earlier times e.g. ‘O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden’, originally a love-song by H Hassler

Question 3

How many chorales sis Martin Luther compose himself?

Answer 3

36

Question 4

What other musical forms of the late 17th and early 18th centuries included chorales?

Answer 4

Cantatas, oratorios, and passions

Question 5

What is a chorale prelude?

Answer 5

The chorale that was later going to be sung by the congregation played on the organ before the service - a custom in the Lutheran Church

Question 6

How did chorale preludes develop?

Answer 6

From simple beginnings, the chorale prelude developed into its own art form and incorporated rich counterpoint

Question 7

Who composed chorale preludes?

Answer 7

Early:
D. Buxtehude
J. Pachelbel
J. S. Bach (wrote ~140)

Late:
Brahms
Reger
Karg-Elert

Question 8

Where are melodic jumps most likely to occur in a chorale?

Answer 8

At the beginning and in between phrases

Question 9

Which progressions are generally strongest when approaching a cadence?

Answer 9

Progression of 5ths

Chords with roots dropping a 3rd

Question 10

True or false: The final chord of a chorale is always major

Answer 10

True

Question 11

In what context is it acceptable to double major 3rds?

Answer 11

When they are approached in contrary motion

Question 12

Does chord IV7 before V in a cadence require the 7th preparing?

Answer 12

No

Question 13

Where does Bach use interrupted cadences?

Answer 13

In long chorales or in ones with short phrases to avoid two perfect cadences cadences in the same key consecutively

Question 14

Where are plagal cadences most commonly used?

Answer 14

In cadential extensions, preceded by some form of perfect cadence

Extremely rare, almost as rare as interrupted cadences

Question 15

How did Bach treat dominant 7ths?

Answer 15

Although it is not compulsory to prepare V7, Bach still took great care with the chord either preparing the 7th, introducing it in stepwise movement or treating it as a passing note

Question 16

Why is IVb-V7b such a good progression?

Answer 16

Stepwise movement in the bass + 7th of V is prepared in root of IV

Question 17

How is each inversion of V7 generally used?

Answer 17

V7b:
Very common
Often follows IVb
Happens at the start of a phrase to aid abrupt modulation
Rarely occurs as the last chord of a cadence, which may suggest an unusual modulation

V7c:
Rarely used - Bach will generally opt for viib over this chord

V7d:
Frequently employed at beginning of a phrase - gives forward momentum to harmony due to downward movement of 7th