Explain How Orchestral Continuo Declined
Which instruments delivered the bass?
Cello and bass in both.
How do the solos in Brandenburg differ from the solos in No. 40?
Brandenburg's solos still had background strings, No. 40's were completely independent from strings.
What instrument families do you hear?
Winds and strings
How did instrumental articulation change from both pieces?
Brandeburg was staccato (shorter), No. 40 was legato (longer)
What kind of dynamic contrast do you think exists between the wind instruments and the strings?
Open-ended
Largely the same
What happened to the harpsichord in the mid to late 18th century?
It was phased out of existence
In Bach's Brandenburg, the harpsichord delivered the harmony. How did that change in No. 40?
The viola delivered harmony, the harpsichord was cut.
Which instrument family was more independent in both or either piece?
Winds.