Brandenburg Concerto No.3 in G minor, BWV 1048

The Brandenburg Concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach, are a collection of six instrumental works presented by Bach to Christian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt in 1721. Researchers of the composer suggest that the concertos were written only a few days before this date. Although the date 24 March 1721 appears under the dedication inscription, the exact time of composition is unknown. Most likely the concertos were written during Bach's stay in Köthen (this period began at the end of 1717) or even earlier. In fact, Bach's autograph reads simply: Six Concerts à plusieurs instruments (Six Concertos for several instruments). In practice, Bach used a multitude of instruments in these concertos, and in combinations that were very daring and unexpected for the time. The composer sent the sheet music as a gift to the Margrave, hoping that it would secure him a place as court leader of the orchestra. To this end he transcribed the concertos in calligraphic handwriting. Although the music is written in the Italian style, the concertos contain many innovative elements. Unfortunately, Bach never received a response to his gift and the manuscript of the concertos resided in the Margrave's library for over 100 years until it was accidentally discovered and published. Today these concerts are usually performed by a chamber ensemble with a predominantly string band. At the time, they were performed by chamber orchestras with only one instrument in a part. The orchestra at Bach's disposal was small, and the composer gave concerts with it. It is not known, however, whether, had he had more resources at his disposal, he would have preferred a larger orchestra, and for this reason today modern performers are given a wide choice. The music of the Brandenburg Concertos is frequently used in a number of films and television programmes, and the first movement of the Second Concerto, along with several dozen other works, has been selected as one of the finest pieces of music on earth and has been recorded on the Voyager golden record. The Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, in G major BWV 1048, is scored for nine string instruments and basso continuo, with the strings divided into three groups - three violins, three violas and three cellos. This Brandenburg Concerto actually consists of only two movements, with a transitional movement in between. The division into three movements is for orientation only. With its compelling, moving theme, the first movement forms a lively interaction between the three groups of strings. It is an excellent example of what was known during Bach's lifetime as 'concertizing' - namely, building a dialogue between the various instruments. Instead of the otherwise usual adagio, the second movement is shortened to a simple transitional section in which the harpsichord plays two chords of a Phrygian chord that ends on a dominant, almost as a question. This stylistic and rhetorical device, quite typical of the Baroque, makes the beginning of the third movement, which directly follows, all the more effective. Full of vitality, the allegro bursts out of the transition like a lush rondo.