Melody

• Mostly conjunct melody, although there are some leaps

• There are rising sequences (b137)

• Many ornaments - typical for baroque

• 2 principal themes

• Subject and answer are alternate every 2 bars

• Entries of subject and answer are closer than before - seeming fast and tumbling (stretto)

• Countersubject - harmony line for subject

• Uses pedal, suspensions, and sequences

Harmony

• Uses standard chords (I, IV, V, sometimes II and VI)

• includes dominant 7ths in inversions

• Functional harmony

• Usually uses root and 1st inversion chords

• Occasional suspensions (b130)

Tonality

• Predominantly D major

• B section is in B minor - relative minor

• Final A section is back in D

• Sometimes modulates to dominant (A maj)

• ^ Indicated by use of accidentals

Instrumentation

• A concerto grosso - concerto for more than 1 soloist

• Concertino - solo instruments (flute, violin, harpsichord)

• Ripieno - accompanying part (string orchestra)

• Basso continuo - continuous bass line in harpsichord + low strings

• Harpsichord has 5 roles - soloist, part of the basso, realising the figured bass, completing the harmony, conducting/directing the ensemble

Tempo

• 2/4

• Uses many triplets and dotted rhythms (theme 1)

• Harpsichord part has many semiquaver runs

• Could’ve also been notated in 6/8 (due to triplets)

Context

• Bach wrote 6 Brandenburg concertos for the Margrave of Brandenburg

• Usual for Baroque music to only have 1 mood - affection

• Affection for this piece was upbeat - similar to a dance

• Written as chamber music - small group of musicians

Dynamics

• Few dynamic markings, since it is Baroque era

• There are terraced dynamics - balancing the instrument sounds

Structure

• Ternary structure (ABA)

• A section is a fugal style (Expositional)

• B section adds a new theme

Texture

• Mainly polyphonic (more than 1 melody at a time)

• use of imitation

• At the start, the flute + violin play in two-part imitation

• When the harpsichord comes in, the subject is on the left hand, while the answer is in the right - 2 part counterpoint

• Once all solo instruments are playing, this is 4 part counterpoint

• Occasionally flute + violin play in thirds