The sarabande in seventeenth century France
Date
1987
Authors
McCleave, Sarah Yuill
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Abstract
The sarabande underwent significant development, in both its music and its dance, in seventeenth century France. The sarabandes of Chambonnieres, Louis Couperin and D'Anglebert demonstrate many of these changes, as well as revealing much about the evolution of a harpsichord idiom during the later seventeenth century. The theatrical sarabandes of Lully also provide interesting examples of the development of the sarabande, and, being written for a string ensemble, demonstrate a different approach to the dance than does the music of the clavecinistes. The purpose of this study is to examine these differences, and their significance to the relationship of music and dance.
This thesis is divided into five chapters. These are: (1) the role of music and dance in society, and how seventeenth century attitudes influenced these arts; (2) the dance style in seventeenth century France; (3) the evolution of the sarabande during this period, focusing on the pieces by the four composers; (4) a comparison of idiomatic developments in the works of Lully and the clavecinistes; and (5) how the music of the four composers supports the dance.