J S Bach: 3rd Movement from Brandenburg Concerto no. 5 in D major

When was this concerto written

1720

What is the continuo, and how is it played?

• Consists of bass instruments (e.g., cello, double bass) and a chordal instrument (e.g., harpsichord).

• Keyboard player realizes harmony using figured bass as a guide.

What is the structure of Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, Movement 3?

• Ternary form (ABA):

  • A (bars 1–78): Begins in D major, fugal style.

  • B (bars 79–232): Modulates to B minor, new theme in the flute, ends in B minor.

  • A (bars 233–end): Returns to D major with an extra D major chord.

What are the key features of the texture in Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, Movement 3?

• Polyphonic/contrapuntal texture.

• Fugal style: Subject in solo violin, answered by flute.

• Harpsichord plays in two-part counterpoint, later four-part counterpoint.

• Occasional doubling in thirds or unison.

What are the melodic features of Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, Movement 3?

• Conjunct (stepwise) style with leaps (e.g., fourths in bar 1).

• Scalic runs, especially in the harpsichord.

• Rising sequences (e.g., bar 137).

• Ornaments like trills (bar 19) and appoggiaturas (e.g., bar 148).

What is the tonality of Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, Movement 3?

• In D major for most of the A sections.

• B section modulates to A major (dominant) and B minor (relative minor).

• Music is diatonic.

What are the harmonic features of Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, Movement 3?

• Functional harmony using standard chords (I, IV, V, occasional II and VI).

• Dominant sevenths in various inversions.

• Perfect cadences signal section ends.

• Occasional suspensions (e.g., 9–8 suspension at bar 130).

What are the tempo, metre, and rhythmic features of Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, Movement 3?

• Metre: 2/4 (duple time), resembles a Baroque gigue.

• Rhythm: Triplets and dotted rhythms throughout.

• Harpsichord part has many semiquaver runs.

What is the concertino in Brandenburg Concerto No. 5?

• Consists of flute, violin, and harpsichord.

What is a concerto grosso, and how does it apply to Brandenburg Concerto No. 5?

• A concerto grosso is for a large group of instrumental parts.

• Likely performed with one player per part in original performances.

What is fugal style, and how is it used in Brandenburg Concerto No. 5?

• A style with imitation almost throughout.

• Solo violin introduces the subject, flute provides the answer, and harpsichord adds layers.

How does the texture evolve in Brandenburg Concerto No. 5?

• Starts with two-part imitation.

• Harpsichord adds counterpoint, creating four-part texture.

• Flute and violin sometimes play in thirds or double in unison.

What is the role of the ripieno in Brandenburg Concerto No. 5?

• Ripieno is the string orchestra, but it has only one violin part (instead of two).

• Occasionally doubles the concertino parts.

What are the characteristics of the middle section (B) in Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, Movement 3?

• Modulates to B minor (relative minor).

• Features a new theme introduced by the flute.

• Ends with a perfect cadence in B minor.

What is a rising sequence, and where is it found in Brandenburg Concerto No. 5?

• A phrase repeated several times, each time starting on a higher pitch.

• Found at bar 137.

What rhythmic features give Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 its lively character?

• Use of triplets and dotted rhythms.

• Gigue-like feel due to compound rhythm (implied 6/8).

• Frequent semiquaver runs, especially in the harpsichord.

What is a figured bass, and how was it used in Baroque music?

• A shorthand notation using numbers under the bass notes to indicate chords.

• Guided the keyboard player to realize the harmony.

What is the role of the harpsichord in Brandenburg Concerto No. 5?

• Acts as both a solo instrument and part of the continuo.

• Features a virtuosic solo, including an extended cadenza in the first movement.

• Occasionally plays continuo chords with figured bass (e.g., bars 29–37).

What is the significance of the harpsichord solo in Brandenburg Concerto No. 5?

• Considered the first concerto for keyboard solo in musical history.

• Includes rapid scalic runs and simultaneous trills in both hands.

What is a cadenza, and how is it featured in Brandenburg Concerto No. 5?

• A cadenza is an unaccompanied, virtuosic solo passage.

• The first movement includes an extended cadenza for harpsichord, showcasing Bach's skills.