Brandenburg Concerto No. 3: Score
By Johann Sebastian Bach / arr. Merle J. Isaac
Grade: 3
Item: 00-PR-0000086
$10.00
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Description
This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud. A Federation Festivals 2020-2024 selection.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Brandenburg Concerto No. 3: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Highland/Etling String Orchestra
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
152
SKU:
00-PR-0000086
More about this title
About the Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Bach's Brandenburg Concertos stand as some of the most ingenious writing for ensemble in the baroque repertoire. Composed around 1721, these six concertos showcase Bach's mastery of counterpoint and his ability to write idiomatically for diverse instrumental combinations. His influence on music education has been profound and enduring; generations of students have learned voice leading, harmonic thinking, and structural clarity through studying his work.
Why we love this
Merle Isaac's arrangement makes this masterwork accessible to Grade 3 orchestras without sacrificing the brilliance of Bach's original conception. The string scoring opens up possibilities for schools that don't have the full instrumentation of period ensembles, while maintaining the clarity and forward momentum that make the Brandenburg Concertos so rewarding to perform. A festival-selected piece that delivers genuine musical substance alongside the educational value.
What to expect
Energetic and transparent, with Bach's characteristic forward momentum and interweaving melodic lines. You'll hear the architecture of his counterpoint unfold naturally as each voice enters and plays its role, creating a sense of organized exuberance that feels both intellectual and joyful.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the Grade 3 level looking for substantive repertoire that combines festival appeal with genuine musical learning. This works equally well for orchestras preparing for competition or for those building a concert program around baroque and neo-baroque repertoire.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape phrases with a clear sense of arrival rather than pushing through continuously; Bach's lines breathe at logical harmonic points.
- Bring out inner voices in the polyphonic sections, especially when violas or second violins carry thematic material. This brings transparency to the texture.
- Keep the tempo steady and energetic without rushing. The baroque style benefits from forward motion, but take breathing room in cadential passages.
- Balance tutti sections carefully so that no single line drowns out the others. Baroque counterpoint only works when all voices are heard.
How to use it
Pair this with other baroque works to create a focused thematic concert, or place it as the centerpiece of a program exploring orchestral heritage. Its festival credentials make it a logical choice for competition seasons, but it's equally compelling as part of a regular concert that emphasizes musical craftsmanship.
Skills your students will build
- Baroque articulation and phrasing conventions
- Identifying and balancing counterpoint with multiple independent lines
- Intonation within transparent orchestral textures
- Rhythmic precision in structured contrapuntal writing
- Understanding baroque harmonic rhythm and phrase structure