Johann Sebastian Bach Brandenburg Concerto no. 5, First Movement

Texture

Bach's style is unique with the coexistence of Polyphony and Homophony type 2 (melody + accompaniment). Intricate melodies and active basso continuo line create a polyphonic texture at places while the homophony (melody + accompaniment) is heard especially in solo sections where the soloists are accompanied by basso continuo parts.

Period

Baroque (High Baroque)

Instruments/Voices

Baroque String Orchestra, Basso Continuo, solo violin, solo flute, solo harpsichord

Work

Brandenburg Concerto no. 5, First movement

Genre

Concerto (more precisely a Concerto Grosso)

Form

Ritornello Form

Melody/Harmony

Very clear language of tonality. Melodies are intricate. Use of sequences extend the length of melodies.

Meter/Rhythm

Duple Meter.

Other Stuff

In this piece, there are multiple soloists, which puts this work to the category of Concerto Grosso. Harpsichord is part of the basso continuo (as in the practice of the period) but also one of the soloists. Towards the end of the piece, it plays a cadenza by itself.

Composer

Johann Sebastian Bach