SUITES de DANsES

 By respecting the inherent nature of each dance, the interpreter will find the contrast of tempos which brings variety within the Suite.

P. Tortelier

CHOREGRAPHIE

To understand the choregraphie of the danses, one has to follow the drawings. There is not only one choregraphie possible, it varies depending on the country and the dancers. 

The importance is to get into the spirit of each dance by understanding the style, tempo, rythmic.

SECULAR MUSIC IN KÖTHEN

J.S Bach composed the 6 Suites for violoncello senza basso during the years he was “Anhalt-Köthen Prince's own musical director" at the court of Köthen between 1717 and 1723.

The photo here was taken in Köthen.

PRELUDE

Each Suite begins with a Prelude, an introduction to the harmonic journey that will be encountered in the Suite of dances. 

After the Prelude comes the Allemande...


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Allemande

"Une véritable invention allemande (...) qui reflète un esprit satisfait et jovial se plaisant dans l’ordre et le calme " 

Johann Mattheson , 1739, Hambourg

courante

La courante se danse en petits pas, qui peuvent etre "pas sautés"* ou glissés, en avant, de côté, et parfois en arrière.

Deux types de courantes:

  • La courante francaise : 3/2 ou 6/4 , de tempo modéré (Suite 5)
  • La courante Italienne :  3/4 ou 3/8 , de tempo vif (Suites 1/2/3/4/6)
*Nuove inventioni di balli,  de Cesare Negri Milanese, 1604

sarabande

" The dance Sarabande must be even more narrow and grandiose (...). It has to express no other emotion but that of veneration" Johann Mattheson , 1739, Hambourg

Steps: 

Emphasis on the second beat

Metric:

In triple time: 3/4 (Suites 1/2/3/4/5) ; 3/2 (Suite 6)

Tempo: Slow



MINUETS

"has no other affect than moderate
joy. "
Steps:
  • short steps, graceful
Style:
  • graceful

BOURREES

"Their quality is primarily contentedness and pleasantness; but at the same time it has bestowed upon it a somewhat insouciant or tranquil touch, a little unconcerned or relaxed quality; they are a little careless leisurely, but yet not disagreeable." Johann Mattheson , 1739, Hambourg

GAVOTTES

"Its effect is truly a jubilating joy.... Its beats are even of number, but it is not in four-four time but one that consists of two half beats. A leaping nature is well the characteristic of these Gavottes, and not a walking one." Johann Mattheson , 1739, Hambourg

GIGUE

Rythme: en triolets ou en valeurs pointées 
Métrique:  3/8, 6/8, 12/8 
Mouvement: très vif