Bach: Partitas II
in D minor, Allemande
(1717-1720)
Partitas
Partita is a term used for variation, a piece, a set of variations and a suite or other multi-movement genres. Both ‘partita’ in its new meaning of suite and ‘partie’ and its variants thus appears to be the random constructions of late 17th-century German composers. Both terms were used in their various meanings by J.S. Bach. However, ‘partita’ as a term for variation died out in the early 18th century, but it retained its meaning of suite, though often restricted in its number of movements.
Allemande
Allemande is a French term meaning ‘German’. It is one of the most popular of Baroque instrumental dances and a standard movement, along with the courante, sarabande, and gigue, or suite. It originated sometime in the early or mid-16th century, appearing under such titles as ‘Teutschertanz’ or ‘Dantz’ in Germany and ‘bal todaescho’, ‘bal francese’ and ‘tedesco’ in Italy. Allemande became one of the most highly stylized of Baroque dances. Allemande was said to be based on a succession of changing harmonies in an improvisatory style, although he noted that in the allemande dissonances were to be more carefully prepared and resolved.
Allemandes is a dance that most used for the ceremonial procession with stately, flowing steps, fashionable in 16th-century aristocratic circles; also an 18th-century figure dance. The dance originated in Germany but became fashionable both at the French court and in England.
In the allemande, the dancers formed a line of couples and extended their paired hands forward, walking three steps, then balancing on one foot; a livelier version used three jumping steps and a hop. The music is in 4/4 time.