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Badinerie from Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor by J.S. Bach

Background Information:

  • The composer was J.S. Bach (1685-1750), who was an important composer in the Baroque era

  • This piece was composed between 1738-39

  • The word Badinerie means ‘jesting’

Elements of Music:

Melody

  • Motif X:

  • Motif Y:

  • Trills

  • Anacrusis

  • Disjunct

  • Appoggiatura

Articulation

Dynamics

  • Terraced dynamics (sudden change of dynamics)

  • Very few markings for dynamics, as it was uncommon in this era

Tempo

  • Allegro - fast

Structure

  • Binary form (AB, 2 parts)

  • Section A is bars 1-16

  • Section B is bars 16-40

Harmony

  • Section A modulates from Bm to F#m (tonic to dominant minor)

  • Section B modulates from F#m to Bm (dominant minor to tonic)

  • Chords usually change every crotchet beat, sometimes on every quaver beat

  • V7 (dominant 7th) chords and iio diminished 2nd (supertonic)

  • In Section A it modulates to Amaj in bar 8, and F#m in bar 12

  • In Section B, it modulates to Em in bar 20, Dmaj in bar 24, Gmaj in bar 25

  • Uses perfect and imperfect cadences as well as pivot chords when modulating

Instrumentation

  • Flute

  • Strings orchestra

  • Basso continuo (continuous bass)

Rhythm

  • 2/4

  • Ostinato rhythms

Texture

  • Homophonic

  • Melody and accompaniment