Element

Dynamics

Comment
None specified as for harpsichord
Determined by number of notes

Rhythm/Metre

Sarabande is slow dance in triple time

Second beat emphasized (bars 1-2, 29-30)
Lots of semiquaver movement
Gigue is in compound triple time
Almost continuous semiquaver movement against dotted
quaver chords

Structure

Sarabande is rounded binary with repeats

Gigue is binary with repeats

Melody

In the sarabande, melody continually evolves from basic

motif (fortspinnung), involving repetition, sequences,
variation of intervals and of rhythm

Instrumentatio
n

Written for harpsichord

Not clavichord due to low A

Texture

Sarabande:
Homophony at bar 1
Monophony at bar 2
Contrapuntal (two/three/four part) elsewhere
Gigue:
Opens fugally with imitation
Free counterpoint

Tonality

D major, defined by cadences

Both end in dominant and journey back through related
keys to tonic

Harmony

Functional
Frequently arpeggiaic
Cadences
Suspensions
Dominant 7th (bar 8 Sarabande)