Brandenburg Concerto No.5 in D major

Question 1

what is a concerto grosso?

Answer 1

a piece written for two or more soloists to be accompanied by an orchestra

Question 2

how did Bach break tradition in this concerto?

Answer 2

1. the harpsichord plays both continuo accompaniment and virtuosic solos.
2. the ripieno is comprised of only one violin.

Question 3

how does the harpsichord player know what notes to play?

Answer 3

there is figured bass which guides the harpsichord player as to what chord to play

Question 4

describe the structure of the piece

Answer 4

1. largely in ternary form.
2. section A begins in fugal style and mostly in D major.
3. section B begins in the key of the relative minor (B minor) and a new theme is introduced. The piece is also in the dominant key of A major during parts of this section.
4. section A is repeated

Question 5

describe the texture of the piece

Answer 5

1. polyphonic texture.
2. the piece opens in a fugal style. The piece is not actually a fugue, but uses fugal characteristics throughout.
3. the flute and violin sometimes play in thirds and in unison.
4. tonic pedals are used.

Question 6

describe the melody in the piece

Answer 6

1. mostly conjunct movement but some leaps (e.g 4ths in bar 1)
2. rapid scalic runs in the harpsichord part
3. appoggiaturas, ornaments and trills in the harpsichord part

Question 7

describe the tonality of the piece

Answer 7

1. the piece is in D major
2. most of the section A’s are in D major
3. section B modulates to the relative minor (B minor) and the dominant (A major)
4. the music is diatonic and functional

Question 8

describe the harmony of the piece

Answer 8

1. harmony is functional
2. suspensions are occasionally used
3. harmony is mostly based around I, IV and V chords
4. perfect cadences announce the end of sections

Question 9

describe the tempo, metre and rhythm of the piece

Answer 9

1. the piece is in 2/4 but sounds like 6/8 because each bar is made up of two quaver triplets. This makes the piece sound like a gigue.
2. triplets and dotted rhythms are used throughout
3. the harpsichord, in particular, uses semi-quaver rhythms frequently.