In the Brandenburg Concertos, which instrument is showcased with high flourishes in the second concerto?

• A. Violin
• B. Trumpet
• C. Oboe
• D. Cello

Answer: (B)

The big idea here is recognizing which instrument Bach gives its brightest, most virtuosic spotlight in the second Brandenburg concerto. That work is famous for a bright trumpet voice that delivers dazzling high-flourish passages, especially in the fast, lively sections. The trumpet, paired with the other concertino instruments (recorder, oboe, and violin) and the continuo, carries bold fanfares and rapid runs that stand out for their high register and showy figurations. The other instruments contribute richly, but they don’t match the trumpet’s level of virtuosic, high-energy display in this piece, making the trumpet the defining showcase of the second concerto.