brandenburg-section B(part 1)

B minor

What key does this section begin in?

It is the relative minor

What is the relationship of this key to the home key of the piece?

It is now an 8 bar theme rather than 2. It uses longer note values with appoggiaturas for decoration and is much more lyrical rather than dance-like

Describe two ways that Bach has varied the original subject to create a new theme.

Tonic pedal (as we are now in B minor and the repeated note is a B)

What harmonic device is used at the start of this section?

The solo flute

Which instrument is first to play the new varied theme?

At the end of each solo section, he uses the original 2-bar subject in the ripieno to mark the end of one solo and the start of the next (see bars 87-88 in the ripeno violin and viola)

How does Bach use the section A subject theme to help structure section B?

The solo violin

Which is the second instrument to play the new varied theme?

B minor

What key is the music in during this second solo section?

The same tonic pedal (in B minor)

What harmonic device is used throughout this second solo?

Yes

Does Bach use the original 2-bar subject theme to mark the end of the second solo section?

No, at the end of the section (as we hear the original 2-bar subject theme in the ripieno) the music modulates (changes key) to F# minor

Does the second solo section end in the same key it started?

It is the dominant minor

What is the relationship of F# minor to the opening key of the second section?

The harpsichord (right hand)

Which instrument plays the third solo section of the varied theme?

Yes. Even though it is now playing F#, the key is in F# minor so it is still a tonic pedal.

Is there a third use of tonic pedal during the third solo section?

No

Does Bach use the A section 2-bar subject theme to end the third solo section?

There is a dialogue section between the solo flute and violin which play in 3rds and the harpsichord which lasts for 4 bars before the harpsichord takes over and both hands play in 3rds just like the two solo instruments were doing. The ripieno drop out at this point to lighten the texture.

What happens after the third subject section?

They have a series of tied minims which create a chain of suspensions.

The harpsichord moves into playing a series of rising sequences throughout 114-118. What do the other two soloists do at this point?

Dialogue

At bar 118, the two soloists change to alternating falling figures. What words could be used to describe this?

Stretto is when the subject theme is interrupted by the answer half way through rather than waiting until after the subject has been played in full. This causes tension in the music by creating a feeling of gathering momentum, or of rushing forward.

Notice at bar 123, the falling figures end with the solo flute and violin playing stretto. What does this term mean?