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 ii^o 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