Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major
The Brandenburg Concerti, dedicated to the Margrave of Brandenburg on 24 March 1721, lay apparently unplayed in the Margrave of Brandenburg’s library until well after his death. At that time, they were not valued enough to be listed in the inventory by the composer’s name but rather were among the “concertos by various masters” valued at mere pennies. These works were, however, never intended for the Margrave to perform as they were presented in score with no accompanying parts. The manuscripts in the Brandenburg library appear to be only copies requested by the Margrave, who made Bach’s acquaintance in Berlin during the winter of 1718-19, and were most likely written for the Prince of Köthen, in whose court Bach was employed at the time.
The fifth of the concertos employs a solo group of flute, violin, and harpsichord supported by a string orchestra. The use of the harpsichord in a solo role was something unheard of at the time. Eventually Bach wrote fourteen concertos that featured the instrument, including those composed in Leipzig for one, two, three, and even four harpsichords. A fanfare-like ritornello theme with many doubled notes opens the first movement. The soloists develop their own themes and motives imitatively. The longest episode in the movement features the keyboard in a monumental solo keyboard cadenza composed of a plethora of figurations and arpeggios. The slow movement in B minor is played only by the three solo instruments, in which the incessant repetitions of dotted rhythms produce a sobbing effect that contrasts starkly with the outer movements. The gigue-like fugato finale theme is introduced by the soloists before being picked up by the orchestra.
