The concerto is in three movements:
- Allegro
- Largo
- Allegro
The first movement is in a fast tempo and begins with a ritornello played by the entire orchestra and then repeated by the solo lute.[1][2] According to AllMusic critic Brian Robins, the ritornello “contrasts a tuneful opening theme with a more lyrical motif in the minor mode.”[1] During the movement, the solo lute plays melodies in contrast to the ritornello.[2] The movement consists of several sections, almost all of which incorporate a portion of the ritornello melody.[2]
The second movement also consists of several sections.[2] Robins describes this movement as a “reflective meditation by the soloist” against accompaniment by the violins and pizzicato bass.[1] Robins praises the movement’s “exquisitely simple shift from triple to duple meter.”[1] The third and final movement is another fast movement in a 6/8 time signature which Robins describes as having “a bit of tarantella-like feel.”[1] The soloist also has the option of playing the half notes in the movement using a more vigorous 12/8 time signature.[3]
bleatmop
Mystro
The Arbourist
Dead Wild Roses 
3 comments
February 12, 2016 at 12:57 pm
Emma
I love that concerto. It makes me happy.
My all time no.1 favorite is Bach’s concerto for 2 violins in d-minor:
The second movement is divine.
What instrument(s) do you play, Arb?
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February 12, 2016 at 1:10 pm
The Arbourist
@Emma
Thank you for the link. The concerto is lovely (listening to it right now). I don’t think I’ll ever tire of listening to J.S. Bach.
-Aside: Something in the second movement triggered a relation to Hayden’s opening aria from Serse.
I play the piano (RC 3/4-ish) and in the process of being classically trained as a tenor.
Long way to go in both categories, but loving the learning and *ahem* practicing. :)
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February 12, 2016 at 1:33 pm
Emma
Sweet. :)
Yeah, Bach is Da Man, musically speaking.
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