Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major

Album: Switched On Box Set (1721)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Brandenburg Concertos are a collection of six instrumental works written by Johann Sebastian Bach for Christian Ludwig, the margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt. Ludwig loved music and Bach wrote the pieces for him to gain extra support for his work. However, it appears the margrave never actually liked Bach's Brandenburgs or maybe his orchestra was too small to perform them as he didn't even bother to include them in the catalogue of his music collection and the manuscripts were discovered for sale on Ludwig's death in a job lot.
  • All six concertos have something different to offer: No.2 in F contains a high trumpet part, which is meant to be one of the most difficult pieces there is for a trumpeter.
  • The third movement of No.2 in F served as the theme song for William F. Buckley, Jr.'s public affairs show Firing Line. The first movement was chosen as the first track on the "golden record," a phonograph record containing a broad sample of Earth's common sounds, languages, and music sent into outer space with the two Voyager probes.
  • Paul McCartney got the idea for the trumpet part in the Beatles song "Penny Lane." after watching The New Philharmonia perform No.2 in F on the BBC. The arpeggiated melodies of the Brandenburg concertos were the foundation from which Chicago's trombone player, Jimmy Pankow wrote the US top 10 hit, "Colour My World."

Comments: 1

  • Megan from Stevenson, AlOh my! This trumpet part would put me in my grave! WOW!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

Band Names

Band NamesFact or Fiction

Was "Pearl" Eddie Vedder's grandmother, and did she really make a hallucinogenic jam? Did Journey have a contest to name the group? And what does KISS stand for anyway?

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."

Thomas Dolby

Thomas DolbySongwriter Interviews

He wrote "She Blinded Me With Science" so he could direct a video about a home for deranged scientists.

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")Songwriter Interviews

Holly Knight talks about some of the hit songs she wrote, including "The Warrior," "Never" and "The Best," and explains some songwriting philosophy, including how to think of a bridge.