Set Work: Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 2

Question 1

Movement 1: Structure

Answer 1

• 1-8: Ritornello Bars
  - F major (home key)
• 9-22: Theme A (Concertino Theme)
  - F major
  - Interspersed with parts of ritornello
  - Soloists: S. Violin, Oboe, Recorder, Trumpet
• 23-28: Ritornello
  - C major (Dominant)
• 28-30: Theme A in Trumpet
  - C major
• 30-32: Ritornello
  - D minor (Relative minor)
• 32-39: Passage with suspensions, sequences, modulations and circle of fifths.
• 39-49: Ritornello
  - Modulation every two bars
  - Dm, G, C, F
• 50-55: Theme B
  - Tutti with use of syncopation, based on elements of ritornello
  - F major
  55-59: Ritornello (Second half)
  - Bb major
  59-67: Theme A
  - Recorder, S. Violin, Oboe, Trumpet
  - Bb, Eb, Cm
  67- 71: Ritornello
  - C minor
  72-74: Theme B
  - Modulation ending in G minor
  74-76: Ritornello
  - G minor
  76-102: Passage with suspensions, modulations, circle of fifths
  102-118: Final ritornello interspersed with ideas from Theme B
  - F major

Question 2

Movement 1: Instrumentation

Answer 2

• Concertino (Solo instruments)
  - Trumpet in F (Perfect 4th higher), Recorder, Oboe, S. Violin
• Ripieno (Ritornello and leading into cadences)
  - Violin I+II, Viola, Violone, Basso Continuo

Question 3

Movement 1: Melody and Motifs

Answer 3

• Often based on triads
• Ornamentation: trills
• Melodic sequences (33-35, viola)
• Motifs:
  - Ritornello + Concertino Theme
  - Fanfare (105-106, trumpet)
  - Suspended (33-35, trumpet and oboe)
  - Repeated note (86-87, trumpet)
  - ‘Sighing’ figure (65-66, flute)

Question 4

Movement 1: Harmony

Answer 4

• Diatonic
• F major (Home key)
• circle of fifths: modulations - suspensions
• Phrases often end in perfect cadences (cadential 6/4)
• Pedal notes

Question 5

Movement 1: Texture

Answer 5

• Tutti, ritornello sections
  - Homophonic
• Many passages = contrapuntal
• Imitation

Question 6

Movement 1: Dynamics

Answer 6

• Very little dynamic change
• Terraced dynamics:
  - Dependent on number of performers at a certain point
  - Tutti or solo passages

Question 7

Movement 1: Rhythm, metre and tempo

Answer 7

• Cut common time (2/2)
• Fast tempo
• Begins on an anacrusis
• Syncopation (50-55, violin I)

Question 8

Movement 2: Structure

Answer 8

• Minuet: Medium paced dance
• Thematic material comes from the first six bars.
• Opening: D minor
• 15-22: A minor
• 23-31: C major
• 32-42: Bb major
• 43-49: G minor
• 50-57: Circle of fifths (D, G, C, F, Bb, Emb5, A)
• Piece ends in D major with a tierce de picardi
  - Appoggiatura, anticipation, Echapée

Question 9

Movement 2: Melody

Answer 9

• Legato
• Continuity (overlapping parts)
• Ornamentation - trills and appoggiaturas
• Melodic sequences
  - 10-12, 30-32, 38-40, 58-60

Question 10

Movement 2: Instrumentation

Answer 10

• Flute, Oboe, Violin, Basso Continuo

- No Trumpet or Ripieno

Question 11

Movement 3: Structure

Answer 11

• 1-57: Exposition
  - Begins in F major
  - Subject in trumpet (1-6), Oboe (7-13), Violin (21-27) + flute
  - Answer is a real answer
• 58- 107: Middle Entries
  - Begins in C major (Dominant)
  - Subject in Violin (57), Oboe (66), Basso Continuo (72)
• 107-139: Final Entries
  - Begins in Bb (Subdominant)
  - Subject in Oboe (107), Flute (113), Continuo (119), Trumpet (136)

Question 12

Movement 3: Texture

Answer 12

• Contrapuntal

- Each part is interchangeable (triple invertable counterpoint)

Question 13

Movement 3: Instrumentation

Answer 13

• Full ensemble (No Ripieno until 47, reinforce harmony)

Question 14

Movement 3: Melody

Answer 14

• Most melodic material comes from the subject, accompaniment and answer
• Sequences = falling semiquaver
• Harmonically charged melodic lines

Question 15

Movement 3: Harmony

Answer 15

• F major (modulations to relative keys)
• Dominant pedal, D minor (72-79)
• Circle of fifths: Dm, Gm, C, F (88-95)