brandenburg concerto no.5 in D major Flashcards
who is this piece written by?
Johann Sebastian Bach (1721)
what is the structure of this piece?
ternary structure (ABA)
what key is the piece in?
D major (for most of the A sections)
what happens to the key in the B section?
modulates to the dominant key (A major) and relative minor (B minor)
what does diatonic mean?
true or false: this piece is diatonic
any stepwise arrangement involving only notes proper to the prevailing key without chromatic alteration.
true.
what are the standard chords of the time?
I, IV and V (with occasional use of II and VI)
give five harmonic devises used within this piece
- dominant sevenths in various inversions
- functional harmony
- mainly root positions and first inversion chords
- perfect cadences announce the ends of sections
- suspensions
two points about Bach
- Bach is regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era.
- he worked mainly as a church organist, music director and composer in Germany
who was Bach’s employer?
Prince Leopold preferred not to have elaborate church music, so Bach’s duties were mainly confined to secular music. He wrote much instrumental music during this time.
context to Chamber Music
there was a core of 8 or 9 professional musicians who were supplemented on occasion by musicians from the town and elsewhere. performances were held in rooms in the castle.
when were the Brandenburg Concertos written and how many of them were there?
there are 6 Brandenburg concertos that were written between 1711 and 1720. in 1721 they were dedicated to Christian Ludwig, the Margrave of Brandenburg.
what is the metre?
2/4 metre (duple time). it could also be notated in 6/8 compound time.
this piece is a Baroque gigue. what does this mean?
a fast, lively dance in duple metre.
give 3 rhythmic devices in this piece
- triplets
- dotted rhythms
- semiquaver runs in harpsichord
what is the texture of this piece?
contrapuntal (polyphonic)
