Chapter 9 Baroque Instrumental Music Concerto and Concerto Grosso: Bach.

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Chapter 9 Baroque Instrumental Music Concerto and Concerto Grosso: Bach

Transcript of Chapter 9 Baroque Instrumental Music Concerto and Concerto Grosso: Bach.

Page 1: Chapter 9 Baroque Instrumental Music Concerto and Concerto Grosso: Bach.

Chapter 9Baroque Instrumental Music

Concerto and Concerto Grosso:

Bach

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Key Terms

Concerto

Concerto grosso

Concertare

Movement

Ritornello form

Ritornello

Cadenza

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Concerto and Concerto Grosso

The most important orchestral genres of the Baroque era

Latin concertare = to contend

Concerto signifies a contest between—•Soloist & orchestra (concerto)•Group of soloists & orchestra (concerto

grosso)•Virtuoso brilliance of solos & orchestra’s

power, stability

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Johann Sebastian Bach(1685-1750)

Came from family of musiciansEarly positions as church organistSoon took prestigious court positions1723–Cantor & Director musices, LeipzigProlific–wrote in almost every late Baroque genre except opera•Lutheran church music–cantatas, passions•Organ music–fugues, chorale preludes•Keyboard music–Well-Tempered Clavier, suites•Orchestral music–concertos, suites

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J.S. Bach

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Bach’s church in Leipzig

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Baroque Orchestra

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The Concerto Grosso

Concerto for a group of solo instruments & orchestra

Otherwise similar to solo concerto•Three movements: Fast–Slow–Fast•Ritornello form often used in fast movements•Emphasis on contrast (contest) between

soloists & orchestra

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Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos

Set of six concertos written before 1721

Beautiful manuscript copy sent as gift to the Margrave of Brandenburg•Bach may have been looking for a job

Each concerto uses different group of solo instruments–often unusual combinations

Often dazzling tone colors

Imaginative contrasts between soloists & orchestra

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Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 5

For three solo instruments–flute, violin, & harpsichord–and orchestraSome soloists do double duty—•Solo violin also leads orchestra in ritornellos•Harpsichord also provides continuo chords

Uses standard three-movement format• I – Fast; II – Slow; III – Fast•1st movement in ritornello form•2nd movement uses reduced instrumentation:

only soloists & continuo

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Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, I (1)

Allegro movement in ritornello form

Extended movement–nearly ten minutes

To sustain interest, Bach introduces progressively more dramatic contrasts

Bright, vivacious ritornello theme•Homophonic feel–dominated by melody•Complete theme used only at beginning & end

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Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, I (2)

Bright, vivacious ritornello theme (cont.)•Divides into three subsections (a, b, c)•Complex, irregular rhythms, melodic contour,

& phrase lengths (especially b & c)

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Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, I (2)

Solo episodes provide contrast•These sections feature the three solo

instruments with continuo accompaniment•Solo sections use rich, imitative polyphony•Progressively more dramatic contrasts

(especially central solo & cadenza)

Many concertos feature a cadenza•Cadenza = improvised passage for soloist•Typically used near end of 1st movement•A cadenza this long was unusual in 1721

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Conclusions

Concerto the most significant Baroque orchestral genre

Usually feature one or more soloists•Contest between soloist(s) & orchestra

Three movements, Fast–Slow–Fast•Differ in tempo, mood, key or mode, & form

Fast movements often use ritornello form

Bach’s music is more sophisticated & complex than Vivaldi’s