Instrumentation & Texture
Music: Edexcel GCSE, topic 2.1.3
Instrumentation
The instruments are split into the concertino and the ripieno.
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 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
- 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
- The B Section starts with a homophonic (melody and accompaniment) texture where the flute is playing the melody line.
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.
Test yourself on Instrumentation & Texture
Which of these is NOT included in the concertino?