modified. • They may be fragmented. • They may be in a different key, or mode. ...
Violin Concerto in G Major Op. 4, No. 12 “La Stravaganza”. First Movement: ...
Ritornello Baroque Concertos and Beyond
The Form • A main body of material, called (confusingly) the ritornello.
• The ritornello alternates with transitional
passages, usually for solo instruments or a small group of instruments.
• The movement ends with a repeat of the ritornello, whole or in part.
Ritornelli • The returns of the ritornello are typically modified.
• They may be fragmented. • They may be in a different key, or mode.
Ritornello in Concertos • In a concerto (i.e., for soloists with
orchestra), the “ritornello” is played by the tutti or the ripieno—which means the full orchestra.
• Sometimes terms like tutti are used as nearsynonyms with ritornello.
Solo Passages • Solo passages occur between statements of the ritornello.
• Typically they’re lighter, not particularly thematic.
• Also typically they feature display passages for soloists.
The Form as a Whole Ritornello complete Original Key
Any # of Solos and Rits. Solo
Rit.
Solo
Rit. Various keys
Ritornello complete Original Key
Where to Find It • Concertos • First and last movements • Solo concerti • Concerti grossi (Concertos for groups of instruments) • Overtures • Solo instrumental works • Even arias sometimes
Antonio Vivaldi Violin Concerto in G Major Op. 4, No. 12 “La Stravaganza”
First Movement: Ritornello Form
The Ritornello • The ritornello consists of three phrases a
b
c
The Ritornello • The ritornello may be highly varied.
Vivaldi:Violin Concerto in G, I a
b
c
Solo 1
Solo 3
c
Solo 2
Solo 4
b
c
Antonio Vivaldi Violin Concerto in G, Third Movement
The Brandenburg Concertos
• Written during Bach’s years at Cöthen (1717-1723).
• Dedicated to the Margrave of
Brandenburg, who apparently never heard them.
The Brandenburg Concertos
• Six concertos • Each is a unique approach to the writing of a concerto grosso, or concerto for small group of instruments and orchestra.
• Each has a different instrumentation.
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5
• Bach apparently wrote this for himself as one of the soloists:
• Flute • Violin • Harpsichord
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5
• Just prior to the final ritornello, there is a
gigantic written-out (not improvised) cadenza (solo passage) for the harpsichord.
• It remains one of the great virtuoso keyboard passages in all music.
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5
• Although technically it is a ritornello like
the Vivaldi Concerto in G, it is gigantic and heroic in scale.
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5
• 10 minutes in this (rather fast) recording: • Nine ritornelli • Nine solos, including a long “Central
