By VIOLET GORDON WOODHOUSE
BEFORE composers evolved the musical form known as the Sonata they used to write
Suites of pieces based on old dance forms. There was no suggestion that the music was to be used for dancing. Composers took the titles and the general character (usually rhythmic) of the dance-movements, and developed their pieces freely on artistic lines. The greatest writer of Suites was Bach. The ' French ' Suites were probably so called because they were written in the light style that the French then favoured in their music. The dance forms commonly used, in the Suites were the Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Bourree, Gavotte, and Gigue. The number of Movements varies, but the first three and the last of those named were the corner stones.
It seems likely that these Suites were written for Bach's second wife, to whom, as well as to his many children, he was indefatigable in teaching music.