Chapter 9 Baroque Instrumental Music

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

2. Concerto Concerto grosso Concertare Movement Ritornello form Ritornello Cadenza Key Terms

3. 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

4. Johann Sebastian Bach(1685-1750) • Came from family of musicians • Early positions as church organist • Soon took prestigious court positions • 1723–Cantor & Director musices, Leipzig • Prolific–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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 • For three solo instruments–flute, violin, & harpsichord–and orchestra • Some 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

8. 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

9. 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)

10. 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

11. 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