Description
In 1721 Bach collated six concertos as a gift for the Margrave of Brandenburg. Having been composed over a long period they had little in common musically and were primarily intended as a job application. Bach received neither thanks, job nor payment from the venerable Margrave. They were given the title Brandenburg Concertos 150 years later by Bach's biographer Philipp Spitta.
The concertos are of great historical importance because they were much influenced by Italian music and the work of Vivaldi: they managed to break away from the standard German Concerto Grosso form. Using many combinations of textures and solo instrumentalists they were obviously written for virtuoso players.
The concertos have achieved immense popularity and the fact that a recorded excerpt from the 2nd concerto was placed on the Voyager spacecraft is a tribute to their importance and popularity.
The six Brandenburg Concertos are a pinnacle of musical invention and they underline Bach's position as one of the world's supreme musical geniuses.