Description
Over in under 20 seconds, this quick A major dance in 3/8 is the shortest of the Aylesford Pieces on this site. The passepied is a triple-time dance of French origin, usually described as lighter than the minuet. Headed Passepied (et Menuet), it stands in the later part of the collection.
It has about 130 notes. The right hand has about twice as many notes as the left, taking a nimble melody while the left plays the bass. The parenthesis in the title presumably indicates a pairing with a minuet, but what the data contains is this one short piece.
It is rated beginner. As a quick dance in 3/8, feel each bar as a single beat and keep it light and springing. Put the whole piece in an A-B loop and raise the speed gradually from a reduced setting; it can be learned in a short time. The range, F-sharp 2 to A5, fits on a 61-key keyboard.
The minuet, an elegant triple-time dance popular in the Baroque era, evoking the refined atmosphere of a courtly ball.
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Sheet music provided by Mutopia Project
About the Composer
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
George Frideric Handel was a Baroque composer born in Halle, Germany, who later became a naturalized British citizen. Celebrated for the oratorio Messiah and his Italian-style operas, he also composed many keyboard suites and sonatas. Often mentioned alongside his contemporary Bach, his music is marked by accessible melody and stately grandeur. This site includes suite movements, minuets, and pieces from the Aylesford Pieces.
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