JAVS Fall 1990

9

4. Minuet

The minuet is a dance of dignity and charm for a single couple, important in the court ritual during the 1600s. By the end of the 17th century it succeeded the courante as "queen" of dances. It required movements of the utmost grace and polish and allowed no rude or harsh gestures. It was originally a dance for wooing, using small steps forward and backward in a gliding pace.

a. lively tempos preferred by Bach and Lully

b. always 4-measure phrases

c. does not start with an upbeat

d. usually in pairs, the minor somewhat slower

e. tempo not too slow, or body movements become difficult

f. A new articulation, reprise d'archet (*), at the beginning of each pattern. Each phrase,

therefore, gives a self-contained, aristocratic impression.

Menuet

common slurs

,., V V ,., V ,., *,., V V ,., V ,., *

,., V

REE RER REE RER 12 beats