Bourrée

Definition

The bourrée is a lively dance originating in France, characterized by its quick tempo and duple meter, often associated with folk traditions. This dance form became popular in the 17th century and is frequently found within the context of instrumental suites, particularly for keyboard instruments like the harpsichord, showcasing its rhythmic vitality and cultural significance during the Baroque period.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The bourrée typically features a quick 2/4 or 4/4 time signature, allowing for energetic movement and dance.
2. It is commonly placed as a movement within a suite, often following a slower dance like the sarabande.
3. Many famous composers of the Baroque period, including Bach and Handel, incorporated bourrées into their keyboard suites.
4. The dance's popularity extended beyond France, influencing various styles of music throughout Europe.
5. Bourrées are often characterized by their distinct rhythmic patterns and repetitive structures, making them memorable and engaging.

Review Questions

• How does the bourrée differ from other dances found in Baroque suites, and what role does it play within these collections?
  • The bourrée differs from other dances in Baroque suites primarily through its lively tempo and distinct rhythmic patterns. It typically follows slower dances such as the allemande or sarabande, providing contrast within the suite. Its energetic character makes it suitable for dancing, thus enhancing the overall vitality of the suite and engaging both performers and listeners alike.
• Discuss how composers like Bach utilized the bourrée in their keyboard suites and what this reveals about the cultural significance of the dance during the Baroque period.
  • Composers such as Bach integrated the bourrée into their keyboard suites to showcase both technical skill and the vibrant musical style of the time. This inclusion reflects the bourrée's popularity as a lively social dance, demonstrating how composers aimed to connect with audiences through familiar forms. The presence of bourrées highlights an appreciation for folk traditions within refined art music, bridging cultural expressions across different social strata.
• Evaluate the impact of folk traditions on the development of baroque music forms like the bourrée, considering historical and social contexts.
  • Folk traditions played a significant role in shaping baroque music forms like the bourrée by infusing elements of popular dance into more sophisticated compositions. As these folk dances were adopted by educated composers for concert settings, they contributed to a broader acceptance of regional styles within high art music. This blending reflects historical contexts where social boundaries were less rigid, enabling cultural exchange that enriched both folk and elite musical practices during the Baroque period.

Related terms

Suite: A collection of instrumental dances or movements, typically arranged in a sequence, that became a common format for keyboard compositions during the Baroque era.

Toccata:

A virtuosic piece for keyboard instruments that emphasizes rapid passages and elaborate fingerwork, often serving as an introduction to larger works.

Gigue: A lively dance in compound meter, usually found as one of the concluding movements in Baroque suites, similar in style to the bourrée but differing in rhythmic complexity.