The elements of music to consider
Melody
Melodies can be created by using different features which can affect such things as to how it moves and how it is articulated. In this concerto:
- the melody builds on a two-bar subject, which is then developed into a A melodic line used to contrast the main tune of a music and build texture. and answerIndividual melodic or rhythmic fragment that makes an important contribution to the structure of a piece of music.
- the harpsichord Melodies or chords that are played in partnership with the main melody line. is a rising sequence in bars 114 to 118
Harmony and tonality
These two elements can have an affect on the mood that a piece of music creates, such as:
- a pedal is used often in the cello and double bass, from bars 11 to 104
- the harmony is Music in a conventional major or minor key.
- A type of cadence where the chords played are chord V then I. This progression sounds complete. are used to signal important moments, eg at the end of section A, in bar 78
- section A is in the key of D major, but modulates to A major and E major
- section B is in B minor (relative minor of D major), modulating to F# minor, A minor and E minor
Structure and texture
The main techniques Bach features are:
- A musical form in which the opening section returns after a central contrasting section. , ie A-B-A - section B is contrasting to section A
- the piece is Interweaving melodic parts, also known as polyphonic. - section A is fugal in particular
- there is a A texture consisting of a solo musical line. texture in the first two bars
- there are A texture where lines of music move together by step, often sounding together to form block chords. moments in section B
Metre and rhythm
The metre is given by the time signature usually found at the beginning of a score and so too can the tempo marking. In this piece, remember that:
- the concerto sounds as if it is written as a gigue - in compound time - but it is written in 2/4 with lots of triplets
- the time signature is 2/4 or simple time
Timbre
A composer will carefully select which instruments to include in a composition because they each bring their own unique colour, or timbre. Bach selected the following:
- concertino (soloists) - flute, violin, harpsichord
- ripieno (orchestra) - violin, viola, cello, double bass
- continuo – harpsichord
Dynamics and tempo
Both of these elements can help control the intensity of the piece. The examples in the third movement are:
- as is typical of the Baroque period, the dynamics are not printed
- a harpsichord (continuo and solo role) is not capable of changing its dynamics
- the tempo is Lively and fast., or quick