Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G Major, BWV 1049

Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos are the most beloved works of the Baroque era. When Bach was creating these six concertos, he was the Kapellmeister in the small town of Coethen, where he was composing music for the court. Some of the concertos were written there between 1717 and 1721, but at least concertos No. 1, 3, and 6 were composed in Weimar before he arrived at Cothen. They were presented to the Margrave of Brandenburg as a collection in 1721, but they were not given the name Brandenburg until 150 years later.

The pieces were based on the Italian Concerto Grosso style similar to the works of Vivaldi’s concertos. But, unlike Vivaldi, each one requires a distinctive, never revisited, combination of instruments. No. 4 showcases both solo flutes (often recorders) and solo violin accompanied by the ripieno strings. Most likely written for the skilled musicians living in Cothen at that time, the music is brilliant and energetic, with a full string chamber orchestra creating the vast and awesome Baroque style.