Bach: 'Ein Feste Burg ist unsere Gott'

Melody:
Describe the pattern of the melody.

Conjunct with leaps of 4ths and 5ths

What is the first movement of this piece?

A chorus for SATB choir and tutti orchestra

Structure:
Describe the structure of this movement. (2)

Eight sections, almost through composed

Structure/Texture:
How are the vocal parts structured?

Fugue

Tonality:
What key is established at the start?

D major

Tonality:
Name all the related keys that the movement modulates to (not including secondary keys!) (3)

A major (V), G major (IV), B minor (vi)

Tonality:
Name the secondary keys that the piece modulates to. (2)

E minor (vi of IV), F# minor (vi of V)

Melody:
What is the name of the subject of this movement?

Cantus firmus

Melody:
Describe the tonal answer.

Theme transposed down a 4th

Melody:
What melodic pattern drives the music forward in an exciting way?

Ascending sequences

Melody:
Describe the use of chromaticism in this movement.

Mostly diatonic with some chromaticism

Harmony:
Describe the overall harmony. (2)

Functional, diatonic

Harmony:
How is the melody supported through harmony?

Pedal note

Harmony:
Which chord creates moments of slight dissonance?

Diminished 7th

Harmony:
Give three examples of suspensions that appear in this movement.

4-3, 7-6, 9-8

Texture:
Describe the overall texture.

Polyphonic/contrapuntal

Texture:
Describe the texture between the oboe and the bass.

Canon

Texture:
How does the texture respond to the cantus firmus?

Countersubject

Texture:
How does the texture decorate the music?

Heterophonic texture

Rhythm, Tempo & Metre:
What is the metre of this movement?

Cut common time

Rhythm, Tempo & Metre:
What two note values do the rhythms tend to vary from?

Semibreves to quavers

Rhythm, Tempo & Metre:
How is a sense of momentum and excitement created through rhythm in melismatic passages?

Continuous quavers

Rhythm, Tempo & Metre:
What rhythms occasionally appear?

Dotted rhythms

Rhythm, Tempo & Metre:
What feature of rhythm appears in the main theme?

Tied notes

Sonority:
Describe the word setting.

Occasional melismas

Sonority:
What string instruments appear in this movement? (3)

Violone, cello, violins

Sonority:
What traditional Baroque instrument appears in this movement?

Harpsichord

Sonority:
What traditional church instrument is featured in this movement?

Organ

Sonority:
Which woodwind instrument is in this movement and how many are there?

3 oboes

Sonority/Texture:
How are vocal lines emphasised?

Doubling

Sonority/Texture:
What traditional Baroque feature appears in the accompaniment?

Continuo