Brandenburg Concertos No1 is written around 1721 and it is set in four movements. Uniqueness of this composition is that Bach uses the hunting Horn. The sound of the horns stands out but the composer manages to make them blend into the ensemble using multiple winds. Along with the horn, the violin piccolo seems to draw more attention. Each movement has extraordinary counterpoint that inventively shades and blurs the contrast between the small concertino group and the tutti ensemble. The piece begins with a brisk tempo. The second movement is slow in tempo and a passionate musical sigh. The first oboe and violin piccolo dominate melodically. The strings have a supportive role and the horns are gone completely. At the end of this movement, we can hear a series of dissonant harmonies which leads from d minor to the dominant A Major.

The third movement is back in F Major and an allegro. The violin piccolo is playing the leading role again and the horns are prominent too adding strength to the texture. We can her repeated horn figure throughout the third movement.

This movement has a feeling of finale. A brief adagio interrupt the musical flow than we can hear the reprise of the opening material and a strong return to F Major.

The fourth movement is a little minuet (Polacca) and trio. This arrangement provides timbral and textural contrast as well as gives a grace to the concerto.

Reference

2014. Johann Sebastian Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No.1 (Sheet Music). Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kI1Ab6_Xfk&gt; [Accessed 22 February 2021]