Allemande

The Allemande (French for " German " ) was in France but also in Spain and England known, two-piece border dance since the 16th century. The first part ( Vortanz ) was mostly in the slow 4/4-time, the second part ( after-dance ) in fast triple time.

It is likely that the allemande originated from German folk dances, but this is not provable. The Vortanz probably originated from the dances of the Middle Ages. As the picture shows, Armfiguren were danced at the after-dance, which also occur in Landler dance.

Later, the Allemande, Courante as well, Sarabande and Gigue developed, becoming an integral part of the classical suite of Baroque music.

In her late baroque version they like to move in 16th increments, is geradtaktig and has a kick. A distinction must be rapid Allemande ( Alla Breve - meter - listed ) and the slow Allemande ( in 4/4-time listed ). In the form of stylized Allemande the Tombeau was composed in the 17th century, found of serious character and measured movement, as part of the French Suite, such as those often with Johann Sebastian Bach ( French Suites ) and Georg Friedrich Handel.

From the after-dance in triple meter of the German dance, one of the precursors of the Viennese waltz built about the middle of the 18th century in southern Germany and Austria.

The instrumental - Allemande developed differently from the danced allemande. So already ( in Johann Mattheson: The protected Orchestra, Hamburg 1717, p 138) writes Johann Mattheson An Allemande dance and to play are like heaven and earth ways .... Such allemandes are ornamented and harmony rich, have an extended number of cycles ( instead of 4 4 in instrumental movements 8 8 or 8 10 or 8 8 8), a change of one voice into another voice level, more syncopation and even breaks within the work.