Vive la France!
The peasants and the royal courts, enjoyed this calming waltz of sorts. A graceful dance in groups of three, often in a pair, you see.
What is a minuet?
Bach's primary instrument.
What is the organ?
A German dance in 4/4 time, it's the opening and begins the climb. A stately thing, not fast or slow, dancers glide as they go.
What is an allemande?
The movements of Bach's solo partitas are based on Baroque dances. What genre are his solo sonatas based on?
What is a church sonata (or "sonata da chiesa")?
Beginning with a half-bar up beat, pairs of dancers in a circle will meet. Originating in France during the 17th century, found in duple meter, it's no mystery.
What is a gavotte?
The number of pieces Bach composed (we will accept +/- 50).
What is 1128?
Usually a final dance in a paritita or suite, you've played the whole thing, what a feat! Often incorporating fugal techniques, dotted rhythms and inversions make it unique
What is a gigue?
The first violinist to play solo Bach as concert pieces.
Who is Joseph Joachim?
A single upbeat starts the show, a brisk French dance from long ago, often written in times of two, it's a court dance- grab your shoes!
What is a bourrée?
The number of years Bach spent writing secular music under Prince Leopold.
What is six?
Intense and broad in feel and flow, altered by the French, you know. A stately dance in triple time, formerly a lascivious dance- how sublime.
What is a sarabande?
The subject of Bach's C Major fugue is based on this Lutheran hymn.
What is "Komm Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott"?
A slower dance from Normandy, it's named after a bagpipe from the 17th century, compound binary is its frequent form, a lilted dotted rhythm is the norm.
What is a loure?
The name of the chorale Berg quotes in his violin concerto.
What is "Est is Genug"?
A fiery dance its circumstance, a mellow version aired in France. The bass is plain, the tune ornate, though originally had a faster gait.
What is a chaconne?
These composers helped resurrect the forgotten music of Bach.
Who are Schumann and Mendelssohn?
Couples springing in a gliding dance, it's often a second movement in a Baroque suite, from France. More sophisticated with a contrapuntal weave, a consistent meter you may not perceive.
Bach once walked over 200 miles (on foot!) to meet and hear this composer and organist perform.
Who is Buxtehude?
An Italian version borrowed from France, continuous rhythmic figures "run" through this dance. Triple meter with a melody-accompaniment texture; smooth, fast, and light is its gesture.
What is a corrente?
Bach's E minor Bourrée for the lute inspired this famous 'Beatles' song.
What is "Blackbird"?