Brandenburg (No. 4) - J.S.Bach

This piece was composed for first violin (violin principale), recorder 1 & 2 (flauto dolce), violin 1 & 2, viola, violincello, violone, bass continuo (double bass). Recorders 1 & 2, and the first violin are to solo instruments. In a Baroque orchestra, the two recorders, and the solo violin are from the concertino. The cello, viola, and violin 1&2 accompany the soloists.

There is a musical dialogue between violino principale and flauto dolce 1. Sequencing in the flauto dolce 2 part. e.g. bars 1-2.

Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott - Johann Sebastian Bach

Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, meaning 'A mighty fortress is our God', is a church cantata*. He composed the chorale cantata in Leipzig for Reformation Day, 31 October, first performed between 1727 and 1731. It is based on Martin Luther's chorale "Ein Feste Burg ist unser Gott".

The cantata was written for four vocal soloists (soprano, alto, tenor, bass), a four-part choir, two oboes, two oboe d'amore, oboe da caccia two violins, viola, violoncello and basso continuo.

The work has eight movements:

1. Chorus.
2. Aria and duet (bass and soprano).
3. Recitative and arioso (bass).
4. Aria (soprano).
5. Chorale.
6. Recitative and arioso (tenor).
7. Duetto (alto, tenor).
8. Chorale.

In the second movement, the oboe and soprano perform an embellished version of the chorale while the bass sings an aria.

The fourth movement is a soprano aria* with a continuo ritornello. It is given character by the use of melismas and a "floaty" melody.

'And the glory of the Lord' from Messiah - George Frideric Handel

'And the glory of the Lord' was composed by George Frideric Handel in 1741 (Baroque period). This piece was composed for SATB choir, and an orchestra.

Handel was born in Germany and worked as the court conductor for the Elector of Hanover. He visited England and eventually settled there. His most famous works include:

• Operas e.g. Julius Caesar
• Music for royal occasions e.g. Water Music
• More than 20 oratorios - Messiah is the most famous

'And the glory of the Lord' is in A major (3 sharps: F#, C# and G#), and the time signature is 3/4. As mentioned at the start of the post, this piece was written for a four part harmony (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass), and Alto is the first voice to enter (in bar 11).

The first 10 bars are instruments only. The instruments in this piece are:

• Violin I
• Violin II
• Viola
• Continuo bass

In bar 9 of the Violin I part, there is use of a hemiola, which is typical of the Baroque period.

The first line sung by the Alto (bar 11) is; 'And the glory, the glory of the Lord', which is a major arpeggio. On the fourth beat of bar 17 in the tenor line, there is a falling sequence on the phrase; 'shall be revealed'. This is also a melisma*.

In bar 43 on the alto line, the phrase 'And all flesh shall see it together', is descending stepwise, and this pattern in repeated in this piece.

Bars 59-62 for the Alto, Tenor and Bass lines are sung all together, which is an example of word paining.


*KEY TERMS*

• Melisma - several notes sung on one syllable / embellishment of a melody.
• Hemiola - a rhythmic alternation of two musical notes in the place of three.
• Word painting - musical technique of writing music that reflects the literal meaning of a song.