The suite is a type of fashionable instrumental dance music that emerged during the Renaissance and was further developed during the Baroque period. It consists of several movements or short pieces in the same key and functions as dance or dinner music during social gatherings.
King Louis XIV and Baroque Dance
Musical scholars contend that the baroque dance suite reached its height of expression and popularity at the court of Louis XIV, who cultivated these dances during elaborate balls and other functions for various reasons, not the least of which as a way to denote social rank. The style of dance that became popular as a result is known as the French Noble Style, and it is considered by musical theorists to be a precursor of classical ballet. Furthermore, its practitioners are credited with the invention of a dance notation system, designed to educate courtiers in the various dances, which allowed the Noble Style to spread well beyond the borders of France.
The baroque suite remained popular at the French court until the Revolution.
The Primary Suite Movements
The baroque suite typically started with a French overture, as in ballet and opera, a musical form divided into two parts that is usually enclosed by double bars and repeat signs.
Suites were composed of four main movements: allemande, courante, sarabande, and gigue. Each of the four main movements is based on a dance form from another country. Thus, each movement has a characteristic sound and varies in rhythm and meter.
Here are the main movements of the dance suite:
Dance Suite Movements
Type of Dance Country / Meter / How to Play
Allemande Germany, 4/4, Moderate
Courante France, 3/4, Quick
Sarabande Spain, 3/4, Slow
Gigue England, 6/8, Fast
Optional movements included air, bourree (lively dance), gavotte (moderately fast dance), minuet, polonaise, and prelude.
Additional French dances include the following movements:
CanarieChaconneEntrée graveForlaneLoureMusettePassacaillePassepiedRigaudonTambourin
Suite Composers
Perhaps the greatest of the baroque suite composers was Johann Sebastian Bach. He is famous for his six cello suites, as well as for English, French, and German suites, the latter known as the Partitas, six of which for harpsichord are the last suites he ever composed.
Other notable suite composers include George Frideric Handel, François Couperin, and Johann Jakob Froberger.
Instruments Played in the Suite
Suites were performed on the cello, harpsichord, lute, and violin, either solo or as part of a group. Bach is famous for composing for the harpsichord, and the instrument was a favorite of Handel’s as well. Later, as the guitar became more refined, composers like Robert de Visee wrote beautiful suites for that instrument.
Contemporary Dance Suites
Echoes of a form of baroque dance, English country dances that were known as contredanses in France, can be seen in the folk dancing of today, with its repetitive steps performed by couples in columns, squares, and circles. Additionally, some of today’s modern dance instructors teach a form of baroque dance by reconstructing its steps and mixing them into their contemporary choreography.
Top 10 Baroque Period Composers
Top 10 Baroque Music Song Selections
Musical Forms and Styles of the Baroque Period
Music History: Different Types of Music Over the Centuries
Top 24 Composers of the Romantic Era
Famous Composers of the 20th Century
The Most Famous Classical Ballets of All Time
Cantata: History and Definition of the Music Form
100 of the Best Pop Songs of All Time
Texture and Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Music
A Timeline of Music During the Romantic Period
Music Events During the Classical Period
Top 100 Alternative Albums of the 2000s
Baroque Music Timeline
The History of Rock Music in the 1990s
Music of the Classical Period
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The suite is a type of fashionable instrumental dance music that emerged during the Renaissance and was further developed during the Baroque period. It consists of several movements or short pieces in the same key and functions as dance or dinner music during social gatherings.
King Louis XIV and Baroque Dance
Musical scholars contend that the baroque dance suite reached its height of expression and popularity at the court of Louis XIV, who cultivated these dances during elaborate balls and other functions for various reasons, not the least of which as a way to denote social rank. The style of dance that became popular as a result is known as the French Noble Style, and it is considered by musical theorists to be a precursor of classical ballet. Furthermore, its practitioners are credited with the invention of a dance notation system, designed to educate courtiers in the various dances, which allowed the Noble Style to spread well beyond the borders of France.
The baroque suite remained popular at the French court until the Revolution.
The Primary Suite Movements
The baroque suite typically started with a French overture, as in ballet and opera, a musical form divided into two parts that is usually enclosed by double bars and repeat signs.
Suites were composed of four main movements: allemande, courante, sarabande, and gigue. Each of the four main movements is based on a dance form from another country. Thus, each movement has a characteristic sound and varies in rhythm and meter.
Here are the main movements of the dance suite:
Dance Suite Movements
Type of Dance Country / Meter / How to Play
Allemande Germany, 4/4, Moderate
Courante France, 3/4, Quick
Sarabande Spain, 3/4, Slow
Gigue England, 6/8, Fast
Optional movements included air, bourree (lively dance), gavotte (moderately fast dance), minuet, polonaise, and prelude.
Additional French dances include the following movements:
CanarieChaconneEntrée graveForlaneLoureMusettePassacaillePassepiedRigaudonTambourin
Suite Composers
Perhaps the greatest of the baroque suite composers was Johann Sebastian Bach. He is famous for his six cello suites, as well as for English, French, and German suites, the latter known as the Partitas, six of which for harpsichord are the last suites he ever composed.
Other notable suite composers include George Frideric Handel, François Couperin, and Johann Jakob Froberger.
Instruments Played in the Suite
Suites were performed on the cello, harpsichord, lute, and violin, either solo or as part of a group. Bach is famous for composing for the harpsichord, and the instrument was a favorite of Handel’s as well. Later, as the guitar became more refined, composers like Robert de Visee wrote beautiful suites for that instrument.
Contemporary Dance Suites
Echoes of a form of baroque dance, English country dances that were known as contredanses in France, can be seen in the folk dancing of today, with its repetitive steps performed by couples in columns, squares, and circles. Additionally, some of today’s modern dance instructors teach a form of baroque dance by reconstructing its steps and mixing them into their contemporary choreography.
Top 10 Baroque Period Composers
Top 10 Baroque Music Song Selections
Musical Forms and Styles of the Baroque Period
Music History: Different Types of Music Over the Centuries
Top 24 Composers of the Romantic Era
Famous Composers of the 20th Century
The Most Famous Classical Ballets of All Time
Cantata: History and Definition of the Music Form
100 of the Best Pop Songs of All Time
Texture and Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Music
A Timeline of Music During the Romantic Period
Music Events During the Classical Period
Top 100 Alternative Albums of the 2000s
Baroque Music Timeline
The History of Rock Music in the 1990s
Music of the Classical Period
When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies
The suite is a type of fashionable instrumental dance music that emerged during the Renaissance and was further developed during the Baroque period. It consists of several movements or short pieces in the same key and functions as dance or dinner music during social gatherings.
King Louis XIV and Baroque Dance
Musical scholars contend that the baroque dance suite reached its height of expression and popularity at the court of Louis XIV, who cultivated these dances during elaborate balls and other functions for various reasons, not the least of which as a way to denote social rank. The style of dance that became popular as a result is known as the French Noble Style, and it is considered by musical theorists to be a precursor of classical ballet. Furthermore, its practitioners are credited with the invention of a dance notation system, designed to educate courtiers in the various dances, which allowed the Noble Style to spread well beyond the borders of France.
The baroque suite remained popular at the French court until the Revolution.
The Primary Suite Movements
The baroque suite typically started with a French overture, as in ballet and opera, a musical form divided into two parts that is usually enclosed by double bars and repeat signs.
Suites were composed of four main movements: allemande, courante, sarabande, and gigue. Each of the four main movements is based on a dance form from another country. Thus, each movement has a characteristic sound and varies in rhythm and meter.
Here are the main movements of the dance suite:
Dance Suite Movements
Type of Dance Country / Meter / How to Play
Allemande Germany, 4/4, Moderate
Courante France, 3/4, Quick
Sarabande Spain, 3/4, Slow
Gigue England, 6/8, Fast
Optional movements included air, bourree (lively dance), gavotte (moderately fast dance), minuet, polonaise, and prelude.
Additional French dances include the following movements:
CanarieChaconneEntrée graveForlaneLoureMusettePassacaillePassepiedRigaudonTambourin
Suite Composers
Perhaps the greatest of the baroque suite composers was Johann Sebastian Bach. He is famous for his six cello suites, as well as for English, French, and German suites, the latter known as the Partitas, six of which for harpsichord are the last suites he ever composed.
Other notable suite composers include George Frideric Handel, François Couperin, and Johann Jakob Froberger.
Instruments Played in the Suite
Suites were performed on the cello, harpsichord, lute, and violin, either solo or as part of a group. Bach is famous for composing for the harpsichord, and the instrument was a favorite of Handel’s as well. Later, as the guitar became more refined, composers like Robert de Visee wrote beautiful suites for that instrument.
Contemporary Dance Suites
Echoes of a form of baroque dance, English country dances that were known as contredanses in France, can be seen in the folk dancing of today, with its repetitive steps performed by couples in columns, squares, and circles. Additionally, some of today’s modern dance instructors teach a form of baroque dance by reconstructing its steps and mixing them into their contemporary choreography.
The suite is a type of fashionable instrumental dance music that emerged during the Renaissance and was further developed during the Baroque period. It consists of several movements or short pieces in the same key and functions as dance or dinner music during social gatherings.
King Louis XIV and Baroque Dance
Musical scholars contend that the baroque dance suite reached its height of expression and popularity at the court of Louis XIV, who cultivated these dances during elaborate balls and other functions for various reasons, not the least of which as a way to denote social rank. The style of dance that became popular as a result is known as the French Noble Style, and it is considered by musical theorists to be a precursor of classical ballet. Furthermore, its practitioners are credited with the invention of a dance notation system, designed to educate courtiers in the various dances, which allowed the Noble Style to spread well beyond the borders of France.
The baroque suite remained popular at the French court until the Revolution.
The Primary Suite Movements
The baroque suite typically started with a French overture, as in ballet and opera, a musical form divided into two parts that is usually enclosed by double bars and repeat signs.
Suites were composed of four main movements: allemande, courante, sarabande, and gigue. Each of the four main movements is based on a dance form from another country. Thus, each movement has a characteristic sound and varies in rhythm and meter.
Here are the main movements of the dance suite:
Dance Suite Movements
Type of Dance Country / Meter / How to Play
Allemande Germany, 4/4, Moderate
Courante France, 3/4, Quick
Sarabande Spain, 3/4, Slow
Gigue England, 6/8, Fast
Optional movements included air, bourree (lively dance), gavotte (moderately fast dance), minuet, polonaise, and prelude.
Additional French dances include the following movements:
CanarieChaconneEntrée graveForlaneLoureMusettePassacaillePassepiedRigaudonTambourin
Suite Composers
Perhaps the greatest of the baroque suite composers was Johann Sebastian Bach. He is famous for his six cello suites, as well as for English, French, and German suites, the latter known as the Partitas, six of which for harpsichord are the last suites he ever composed.
Other notable suite composers include George Frideric Handel, François Couperin, and Johann Jakob Froberger.
Instruments Played in the Suite
Suites were performed on the cello, harpsichord, lute, and violin, either solo or as part of a group. Bach is famous for composing for the harpsichord, and the instrument was a favorite of Handel’s as well. Later, as the guitar became more refined, composers like Robert de Visee wrote beautiful suites for that instrument.
Contemporary Dance Suites
Echoes of a form of baroque dance, English country dances that were known as contredanses in France, can be seen in the folk dancing of today, with its repetitive steps performed by couples in columns, squares, and circles. Additionally, some of today’s modern dance instructors teach a form of baroque dance by reconstructing its steps and mixing them into their contemporary choreography.
Optional movements included air, bourree (lively dance), gavotte (moderately fast dance), minuet, polonaise, and prelude.
Additional French dances include the following movements:
- CanarieChaconneEntrée graveForlaneLoureMusettePassacaillePassepiedRigaudonTambourin
Suite Composers
Perhaps the greatest of the baroque suite composers was Johann Sebastian Bach. He is famous for his six cello suites, as well as for English, French, and German suites, the latter known as the Partitas, six of which for harpsichord are the last suites he ever composed.
Other notable suite composers include George Frideric Handel, François Couperin, and Johann Jakob Froberger.
Instruments Played in the Suite
Suites were performed on the cello, harpsichord, lute, and violin, either solo or as part of a group. Bach is famous for composing for the harpsichord, and the instrument was a favorite of Handel’s as well. Later, as the guitar became more refined, composers like Robert de Visee wrote beautiful suites for that instrument.
Contemporary Dance Suites
Echoes of a form of baroque dance, English country dances that were known as contredanses in France, can be seen in the folk dancing of today, with its repetitive steps performed by couples in columns, squares, and circles. Additionally, some of today’s modern dance instructors teach a form of baroque dance by reconstructing its steps and mixing them into their contemporary choreography.
Top 10 Baroque Period Composers
Top 10 Baroque Music Song Selections
Musical Forms and Styles of the Baroque Period
Music History: Different Types of Music Over the Centuries
Top 24 Composers of the Romantic Era
Famous Composers of the 20th Century
The Most Famous Classical Ballets of All Time
Cantata: History and Definition of the Music Form
100 of the Best Pop Songs of All Time
Texture and Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Music
A Timeline of Music During the Romantic Period
Music Events During the Classical Period
Top 100 Alternative Albums of the 2000s
Baroque Music Timeline
The History of Rock Music in the 1990s
Music of the Classical Period
Top 10 Baroque Period Composers
Top 10 Baroque Period Composers
Top 10 Baroque Music Song Selections
Top 10 Baroque Music Song Selections
Musical Forms and Styles of the Baroque Period
Musical Forms and Styles of the Baroque Period
Music History: Different Types of Music Over the Centuries
Music History: Different Types of Music Over the Centuries
Top 24 Composers of the Romantic Era
Top 24 Composers of the Romantic Era
Famous Composers of the 20th Century
Famous Composers of the 20th Century
The Most Famous Classical Ballets of All Time
The Most Famous Classical Ballets of All Time
Cantata: History and Definition of the Music Form
Cantata: History and Definition of the Music Form
100 of the Best Pop Songs of All Time
100 of the Best Pop Songs of All Time
Texture and Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Music
Texture and Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Music
A Timeline of Music During the Romantic Period
A Timeline of Music During the Romantic Period
Music Events During the Classical Period
Music Events During the Classical Period
Top 100 Alternative Albums of the 2000s
Top 100 Alternative Albums of the 2000s
Baroque Music Timeline
Baroque Music Timeline
The History of Rock Music in the 1990s
The History of Rock Music in the 1990s
Music of the Classical Period
Music of the Classical Period
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LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
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EU Privacy
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LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies
