Suite
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Main Period: Renaissance, Baroque

Composers


Bach


Telemann


Handel
Suite
A musical form that originated as a series of dance tunes conflicting in character, rhythm and tempo (speed). The suite was at its peak in the renainssance and baroque. It was born at the beginning of the 16th century, when the musical world shifted its attention from vocal (sung) to instrumental (played) music. Then, composers turned to folk dances, drawing their inspiration from these dances. Thus the suite was crystallized as a combination of dances from different countries. The four original dances that crystalized into the suite of the late 17th century were the AllemandeAllemand - Tielman Susato (16th century) (German), CouranteCourante in E - William Croft (French), SarabandeSarabande from Orchestral Suite No.2 in Bm, BWV.1067 - J.S. Bach (Spanish) and GigueGigue from English Suite No.3 in Gm, BWV.808 - J.S. Bach (English). These have appeared in nearly every suite written ever since, yet unfixed dances were added between the third and the fourth (minuetteMinuet - J. S. Bach, burreeBourree from Suite No.1 in Em for lute, BWV.996 - J.S. Bach, gavotteGavotte for Flute with Harpsicord & Cello Accompaniment - J.S. Bach and other dances).
The important principles in the suite are the contrast in tempo between neighbouring movements (a slow dance will follow a quick one), one musical key for all movements, and many binary movements. Among the important suite writers, mainly for harpsichord and violin, is J. S. BachBadinerie from Orchestral Suite No.2 in Bm, BWV.1067 - J.S. BachBourree from Orchestral Suite No.2 in Bm, BWV.1067 - J.S. Bach (his four Orchestral Suites are also well-known).
At the beginning of the classic era, the suite cleared its place for the sonata as the main form of composition.
In the Romantic period, composers revived the suite - this time as a collection of pieces of stage music played by a symphonic orchestra. Thus, Grieg created the orchestral suite "Peer-Gynt"'In the Hall of the Mountian King' from 'Peer Gynt' Suite No.1, Op.46 - Grieg, Ravel - "Sur le Tomb de Couperin" and Tchaikovsky - "The Nutcracker"'Waltz of the Flowers' from 'Nutcracker Suite', Op.71a - Tchaikovsky.
About folk Dances

The suite originated from folk dances




Listen to some dances from the Suite
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Allemande
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Courante
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Saraband
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Gigue


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