Analysis of Concerto in F Minor for Harpsichord and Strings Movement 3: Presto
Johann Sebastian Bach’s third movement, Presto, of the Concerto in F Minor for harpsichord and strings provides ample expertly crafted material for analysis. This movement is in a binary form in which an opening ritornello alternates episodes of solo material. The ritornello, full of easily recognizable material provided by both the orchestra and solo harpsichord, provides a stable back drop in between each solo section where the solo part creates drama and excitement. Many of these themes come back in strategic spots in order to heighten the drama of the movement. J.S. Bach uses many of techniques characteristic of the Baroque period, including imitation, vordersatz, fortspinnung, and epilogue, to help increase the drama and tension of the piece in order to affect the listener’s emotions. In this essay, I will be analyzing the form, compositional techniques, and historical context of the Presto movement of J.S. Bach’s Concerto in F Minor for harpsichord and strings. In analyzing the form of this movement, one can see three distinct themes in the opening ritornello, which are then brought back in various episodes of solo material, in abbreviated versions of the ritornello. These three themes all return in the final ritornello to help create a sense of closure to the piece. In the opening ritornello, we see an example of vodersatz, where the opening theme, theme A, is stated for the first time.
This composition consists of three movements of which we will further examine movement II, Adagio Cantabile. This movement is placed in high contrast with the other two, particularly in tempo.
Johann S. Bach was a classical composer and a very good performer. He was one of the best composers during the Baroque era and took the position of organist for many different places during his career. Bach was and is a very important person in the classical music genre.
The fifth and final section of Bach’s work is overall the shortest and the most contrasting of all of the other parts. This section is also almost entirely in the tonic major; which is most commonly used as the representation of a final resolution. During the last section, the pedal is used to its greatest extent which covers the full range present on the organ.
The next movement of the concert from Czechoslovakia, Three Revolutionary Marches, began dramatic with leaps and high-range climaxes. The music of this piece perfectly portrays the
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German organist, composer, and musical scholar of the Baroque period, and is almost universally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time. His works, noted for their intellectual depth, technical command, and artistic beauty, have provided inspiration to nearly every musician after him, from Mozart to Schoenberg.
The Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Opus 26 is one of the most famous violin concertos over the musical history. It is also considered to be the most renowned work by the German composer Max Bruch. I will begin with a short explanation of why I choose to analyse this piece followed by what makes this piece so remarkable. I will then present the musical context – German Romantic period – in which this piece was composed and discuss how it is representative of this period. Also, I will present briefly the biography of the composer and relate his life and style with this particular piece of music. After, I will explain the basic structure of a concerto, associate it with this violin concerto, and analyse how each movement is related. Then,
This work was composed during the Classical period, 1750- 1820. One aspect of the classical music style beign applied to this work includes the reoccurance of two or more contrasting themes. Another is the use of short and clearly defined musical phrases. Lastly, this piece, on a purely musical level, was simply more to hum along to. This type of melody took over the complex polyphony of the Baroque period.
Johann Sebastian Bach was born into a family of musicians. It was only natural for him to pick up an instrument and excel in it. His father taught him how to play the violin and harpsichord at a very young age. All of Bach’s uncles were professional musicians, one of them; Johann Christoph Bach introduced him to the organ. Bach hit a turning point in his life when both of his parents died at the age of ten years old. Bach’s older brother Johann Christoph Bach took him in and immediately expanded his knowledge in the world of music. He taught him how to play the clavichord and exposed him to great composers at the time. At the age of fourteen, Bach and his good friend George Erdmann were awarded a choral scholarship to the prestigious
Johann Sebastian Bach was born on March 21st 1685. He is the son of Johann Ambrosius. For many years, members of the Bach family had held positions such as organists, town instrumentalists, or Cantors.
This concerto is made up of three movements, with the second movement entitled Larghetto e spiritoso in between two Allegro movements. Originally intended for two solo violins, violin I, violin II, viola, cello, and bass, this piece has been transposed in various forms and is now commonly performed with two solo violins and piano. While the other two movements are lively and exciting, the second movement provides a great contrast. It is in a different key and has a completely different feeling, one of heaviness and melancholy, though its chord progressions and harmonies make it appealing to audiences. This composition in its entirety gained Vivaldi his greatest popularity as it spread throughout Europe and became a standard for 18th century composers.
The return to the home key can be seen as a relief from the “dissonance” produced by the passages of second themes in E major and b minor. Yet, the tonality on G major is not distinctive enough to induce a home-returning emotion in the listeners. Therefore, the composer restated the opening of the first theme in G major and continues with arpeggiando passages (Fig. H) (mm.288-295) establishing the dominant of the home key. The coda (mm.295-324) consists only
Historically in Bach’s day, toccatas often served as introductions Fugues, setting the stage for the complex and intricate composition to follow. “Fugue” can be described as a technique characterized by the overlapping repetition of a principal theme in different melodic lines (counterpoint) and hence the second part of Bach’s composition reflects the particular popularity of this form. Bach made much use of the fugue in his compositions in solo organ pieces as in this particular fugue, with its accompanying toccata, is his best known
The fugue is often regarded as a genre defined by strict procedural guidelines. It is notable that three historically important composers, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), Georg Friedrich Handel (1685-1759), and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), all employed a closely related fugue subject in three different works. An analysis of each of these works individually, and a comparison of these works collectively reveal numerous latent and salient features, and a reflection of the composers’ style within these works. Analyses also provide an outlook into the fluidity in certain aspects and rigidity in others of the form itself, reflected historically. The three composers analyzed fall closely together in history. J.S. Bach and G.F. Handel were contemporaries, whereas Mozart was born six years after Bach’s death and three years before Handel’s death. Analytically, the angularity of these similar fugue subjects presupposes a treatment regardless of the composer. Because of the shared intervallic content among the subjects of these fugues, despite being written by several different composers, a surprising number of similarities arise. Therefore, it is reasonable to assert that compositional choices made in the construction of the fugue subjects limit the number of results possible.
First movement has solo passages extending into long sections; alternated between four or five ritornello sections. First movement constructed in a variant of ritornello form with a double exposition.
The first movement of the third sonata is the most experimental, the one which deviates most from Classical form and harmonies. The exposition, in particular, is more like a fantasy than a sonata. The sonata opens quite promisingly. A descending broken chord followed by ascending march-like chords creates the primary theme (mm. 1 – 4).