Brandenburg Concerto No.5 In D Major, 3rd Movement - J.S. Bach

Question 1

1. The middle section starts at bar 79.
   i) What is the key here?
   ii) How does this key relate to the opening key of the movement?

Answer 1

i) B minor

ii) relative minor

Question 2

2) Starting at bar 189, the flute and solo violin play together (in thirds). A bar later the harpsichord plays a similar phrase, imitating them. All three instruments have a minim in the second bar of their phrase, but only the harpsichord has a trill over the minim. Why?

Answer 2

2) The harpsichord cannot sustain notes as the note is plucked, therefore the trill allows the harpsichord to hold the note for longer.

Question 3

S1) Find 2 examples of different musical textures in the movement. Write a bar number followed by the single word describing the texture.

Answer 3

S1)

Question 4

S2) In what way is the flute phrase at bar 79 a variant of the opening theme? Name both a similarity of rhythm and a similarity of interval.

Answer 4

S2)

Question 5

S3) Apart from playing the written notes, the harpsichordist was important in other ways. Briefly describe one other role of this instrument.

Answer 5

S3) i) soloist

   ii) part of the continuo
   iii) background accompaniment 
   iv) realises the figured bass as chords and melody
   v) coordinates/directs ensemble

Question 6

C1) Explain how the movement demonstrates some of the key features of the Baroque style.

Answer 6

C1) different musical textures such as monophonic, homophonic, polyphonic
musical devices: sequence, pedals, suspensions
one mood/affection
terraced dynamics
basso continuo

Question 7

C2) In the 20th century Sir Michael Tippett wrote a Concerto for Double String Orchestra. Listen to the opening movement and compare it to this Bach Baroque movement. Can you identify some similarities and differences?

Answer 7

C2)