2.1.3

Instrumentation & Texture

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Instrumentation

The instruments are split into the concertino and the ripieno.

2 groups

2 groups

  • The instruments are split into 2 groups:
    • The concertino (soloists).
      • This includes the violin, flute and the harpsichord.
    • The ripieno.
      • This includes the larger string orchestra and the harpsichord.
The harpsichord

The harpsichord

  • The harpsichord had a dual role as a solo instrument and as the accompaniment.
  • The harpsichordist uses a figured bass to work out which chords should be used.

Texture

The piece starts with a monophonic passage and then becomes contrapuntal and fugal.

Monophonic

Monophonic

  • The piece starts with a monophonic (one sound) passage.
  • This is played by the violin.
  • The texture then becomes polyphonic (overlapping melodies) and fugal (the Baroque style of composition ‘fugue’) with instruments overlapping.
Homophonic

Homophonic

  • The B Section starts with a homophonic (melody and accompaniment) texture where the flute is playing the melody line.
Texture and dynamics

Texture and dynamics

  • In the Baroque period the texture was closely linked to dynamics.
    • Where passages needed to be quieter composers would write for fewer instruments.
    • Where passages needed to be louder they would include more instruments.
  • This is called terraced dynamics.
Jump to other topics
1

Musical Elements

1.1

Organisation of Pitch

1.1.1Melodic Pitch1.1.2Melodic Devices1.1.3Harmonic Pitch1.1.4Harmonic Devices1.1.5Harmonic Progressions
1.2

Tonality

1.2.1Major & Minor Tonality1.2.2End of Topic Test - Musical Elements
2

Instrumental Music 1700–1820

2.1

Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major

2.1.1Concerto No. 5 in D Major2.1.2Structure & Melody2.1.3Instrumentation & Texture2.1.4Harmony2.1.5Wider Listening
2.2

Beethoven: Sonata ‘Pathétique’

2.2.1Piano Sonata No. 82.2.2Structure & Melody2.2.3Other Features2.2.4Wider Listening2.2.5End of Topic Test - Instrumental Music 1700–1820
3

Vocal Music

3.1

Purcell: Music for a While

3.1.1Music for a While3.1.2Other Features3.1.3Wider Listening
3.2

Queen: Killer Queen

3.2.1Killer Queen3.2.2Other Features3.2.3Wider Listening3.2.4End of Topic Test - Vocal Music
4

Music for Stage & Screen

4.1

Schwartz: Defying Gravity

4.1.1Defying Gravity4.1.2Other Features4.1.3Wider Listening4.1.4End of Topic Test - Defying Gravity
4.2

Williams: Star Wars Episode IV

4.2.1A New Hope4.2.2Structure & Melody4.2.3Other Features4.2.4Wider Listening4.2.5End of Topic Test - Star Wars Episode IV
5

Fusions

5.1

Afro Celt Sound System: Release

5.1.1Release5.1.2Other Features5.1.3Wider Listening
5.2

Spalding: Samba Em Preludio

5.2.1Samba Em Preludio5.2.2Structure & Melody5.2.3Other Features5.2.4Wider Listening5.2.5End of Topic Test - Fusions

Practice questions on Instrumentation & Texture

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  1. 1
    The ripieno:Fill in the list
  2. 2
    Which of these is NOT included in the concertino?Multiple choice
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Structure & Melody

Harmony