Theory of Music Grade 4

Lesson 15 Baroque Suite Movements & Ornaments

Baroque Period
Baroque Period (17th Century) was from 1600-1750. Famous Baroque composers were Bach, Handel and Purcell who enjoyed writing suites. Suites are sets of music that one would dance to. The set would contain approximately 6 pieces of music each called a movement. The music is written for keyboard or for a group of musicians. Each of the movement in the suite was named after the dance. Each dance had a specific tempo, time signature and special characteristics. The only thing common among the dances were that they were all in Binary Form, and in the same key.

Baroque Dances
The dances most often used were Allemande, Courante, Minuet, Sarabande, Gavotte and Gigue, all in binary form and in the same key. There were other optional dances but the above were considered essential. The dances were performed in the order listed above.

1. Allemande
Moderate Speed Simple Quadruple Time Short anacrusis, continuous movement and was the opening movement of a suite.

2. Courante
Fast Speed Simple Triple Time Short anacrusis Italian style had continuous movement French style had varied rhythm and sometimes changed from 3/2 to 6/4 time.

3. Minuet
Moderate Speed Simple Triple Time No anacrusis Graceful.

4. Sarabande
Slow Speed Simple Triple Time No anacrusis Stately, often has ornaments 2nd beat accented.

5. Gavotte
Moderately Fast Speed Simple Duple or Quadruple Time Half-Bar anacrusis Rhythmic and sprightly.

6. Gigue
Fast Speed Compound duple time Short anacrusis Contrapuntal and last movement of a suite.

Summary

Baroque Ornaments

Describe the Allemande

Describe the Courante

Describe the Minuet

Describe the Sarabande

Describe the Gavotte

Describe the Gigue

Counterpoint
Counterpoint is the art of combining two or more melodies.

Contrapuntal
Music that is written in counterpoint is called Contrapuntal music.

Contrapuntal/Counterpoint
Counterpoint involves the writing of musical lines that sound very different and move independently from each other but sound harmonious when played together. In each era, contrapuntal music writing has been subject to very strict rules like in harmony. The Gigue in a Baroque suite is in contrapuntal style. The music involves counterpoint writing.

Homework
Complete Lesson 15