Week 4 - Murray Perahia plays "Brandenburg Concerto No. 5" by J. S. Bach

This week's musical selection is the first movement, the "Allegro," of Johann Sebastian Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5. Some music scholars have called this work the first-ever example of a solo keyboard concerto.

Make sure you have a few minutes to sit and listen without interruption. As you listen to the piece, try to focus all your attention on the music, and make sure there are no distractions around you. To help you focus, here are a few questions with things for you to think about, concentrate on, and try to hear. When you are through, post your answers below in the "Comments" section, or send me an email.

Listening Questions:

1. Is this piece for solo piano, or do you hear other instruments as well, and if so, what other instruments can you hear?
2. Do you recognize this music (is this a new piece to you, is it somewhat familiar, or have you definitely heard this music before)? If you have heard it, do you know where or when you heard it?
3. What is the mood or emotion conveyed by this piece of music, and what are the notes and rhythms doing that gives you that impression?
4. Can you describe some of the musical things you hear occurring (for example, are there long scale passages, arpeggios, big chords, etc.)?
5. As you listen to it, how does this music make you feel? Would you say you like this piece, and why or why not?

Bonus Question:
Can you find some biographical information about J.S. Bach (the composer), or about Murray Perahia (the pianist)?