The minuet is a dance of the past that has become the basis for new music.

Historical review

Initially, the gallant (court) minuet was performed by one couple. The movements of the minuet were built mainly on bows and curtsies, which created not so much the impression of a dance, but rather an “invitation to dance” or a prelude. Throughout the 18th century, with the development of the gallant style and the Baroque era in general, the minuet gradually developed, its tempo accelerated, movements and steps became more complex, and as a result the late ballroom minuet acquired bright features cuteness and sophistication. It began to be performed not by one, but by several couples (sometimes with a flirtatious change of partners, in the fashionable spirit of “Les Troquers” - or frivolous traitors). On stage, in Rameau's opera and ballet performances, the minuet developed to a virtuoso form, acquired genre characteristics, plot specificity, and even several of its varieties appeared.

In ancient minuets, the first minuet was written in two voices, and the second in three voices. The second minuet is always followed by a repetition of the first. Often a small coda is made at the end of the minuet. Although the dancers perform the minuet smoothly and rather slowly, the music of the minuet should be performed moderately quickly. The music of the first "composer's" minuets belongs to Jean Baptiste Lully. Under Louis XIV, the minuet was a favorite court dance. The minuet teacher at that time was François-Robert Marcel, a member of the French Royal Academy of Dance, who specially retired from the theater Paris Opera to teach this rapidly fashionable dance.

From France, along with the fashion for everything French, the minuet gradually moved to other countries; appeared in Russia during the reign of Peter the Great and was performed at balls until the 30s of the 19th century.

Minuet in the works of composers

In the 17th and 18th centuries, pure musical form the minuet was quite widely represented in the harpsichord, clavier and chamber music(François Couperin (“The Great”), Jean Philippe Rameau, Andre Campra and other composers of the Rococo era). As an “obligatory” part, the minuet was included in the instrumental suite (Bach, Handel), sometimes even in the opera overture as the final section (only in Handel), and then for some time “fixed” in the sonata -symphonic cycle(usually occupied the third part in a four-part cycle). In a suite, quite often the first minuet was followed by a second, in the same key or in a key a fifth below the main one (but not a fifth above). If the first minuet is in major, then the second is often written in the minor of the same name. The second minuet was most often called a trio.

Subsequently, the form of the minuet was developed in the operas and ballets of Gluck and the early symphonies of Haydn, in whom the minuet often acquires a lively and cheerful character, approaching the character of a peasant dance. Haydn was the first to introduce the minuet into his symphonies. Mozart introduced lyrical and sometimes even courageous intonations into the minuet. Beethoven replaced the minuet with a scherzo in his later symphonies. Later, in the 19th century, minuets were written by Tchaikovsky, Glazunov, Debussy, Satie and other composers.

Among Russian composers, Glinka and Rubinstein also wrote outstanding minuets. Currently, the minuet as a dance has gone out of fashion, but the form of the minuet in music, ballet and dance art is by no means forgotten.

(pas menus). Descended from slow waltz(the so-called menuet de la chaîne) is a dance from the province of Poitou. It is written in a two-leg fold, in a three-part size (3/4). From the middle of the 17th century - ballroom. Since the 17th century it has spread widely throughout Europe.

Historical review

Minuet in the works of composers

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the pure musical form of the minuet was quite widely represented in harpsichord, clavier and chamber music (François Couperin (“The Great”), Jean Philippe Rameau (no less great, and maybe even more, but without the same “title”) , Andre Campra and other composers of the Rococo era). As an “obligatory” part, the minuet was included in the instrumental suite (Bach, Handel), sometimes even in the opera overture as the final section (only in Handel), and then for some time “fixed” in the sonata-symphonic cycle (usually occupied the third part in a four-part cycle). In a suite, quite often the first minuet was followed by a second, in the same key or in a key a fifth below the main one (but not a fifth above). If the first minuet is in major, then the second is often written in the minor of the same name. The second minuet was most often called trio.

Subsequently, the form of the minuet was developed in the operas and ballets of Gluck and the early symphonies of Haydn, in whom the minuet often acquires a lively and cheerful character, approaching the character of a peasant dance. Haydn was the first to introduce the minuet into his symphonies. [ ] Mozart introduced lyrical and sometimes even courageous intonations into the minuet. Beethoven replaced the minuet with a scherzo in his later symphonies. Later, in the 19th century, minuets were written by Tchaikovsky, Glazunov, Debussy, Satie and other composers.

Sources

Minuet – bright representative Baroque era

A beautiful, elegant, graceful dance originally from France has managed to convey its charm to us through the centuries. Names such as pavane, alemanda, galliard, gavotte are known today only to art historians, but almost everyone has heard of the minuet. This dance can take us to another era, make us feel how difficult it was for women to move in tight corsets and fluffy skirts, and for men in slippery shoes and heavy velvet camisoles. Sometimes the minuet is called an “invitation to dance,” an elegant dance “conversation.” Reflecting character traits of its era, it turned into a work of art that we admire and admire to this day.

Minuet as a product of the gallant age

It is impossible to talk about the minuet without understanding the era in which it appeared. XVI-XVII centuries - heyday baroque art(barocco translated from Italian means “bizarre, strange”). The Baroque era is characterized by pretentiousness and ostentatious luxury of outfits, magnificent balls, theatrical performances, and grandiose celebrations. The religious strictness and restraint of the Middle Ages gave way to a new way of life - bold, shocking, bright. Everything unusual and unnatural has become fashionable. A new attitude to life has penetrated into a new dance.

Minuet is a type of ballroom dance, but it is more appropriate to call it a small dance performance. At first it was performed by two people (a partner and a partner), but more late era Several couples began to appear on the floor - the dance became widespread. At the same time, in the minuet the order in which couples entered the dance was strictly maintained, depending on their rank. The first to come out were always the king and queen, then the persons connected with the first persons of the state by blood ties, and, finally, other representatives of the aristocracy. In the 17th century, the minuet was the main ceremonial dance with which the ball began.

History of dance

Art historians agree that the minuet owes its appearance to the French region of Poitou (a historical region in the western part of the country). Initially it was folk peasant dance branle. Once in palaces and aristocratic salons, it was significantly ennobled and modified. Since the mid-17th century, the minuet has been the main ballroom dance in the king's palace.

As for the word menuet itself, there are 2 main versions about the origin of the name:

1) the minuet comes from the amener round dance, popular in Poitou in the 14th-15th centuries (“a mener” means “to lead”);

2) the minuet got its name from the word “menu” (“small, small”) due to the fact that the entire dance consists of small steps that smoothly flow into each other.

Figures and diagrams of the minuet

The minuet is characterized by a three-beat time signature of 3/4. The dance was perfect for the elaborate costumes and hairstyles of the era. Let's remember what the dancers' outfits looked like in the 17th century. Women have high hairstyles in the form of various figures, fluffy dresses with crinolines and hoops. The men have pomaded wigs and rather heavy camisoles. It is impossible to dance in such costumes fast pace! Therefore, in the original version, the minuet had little resemblance to the ballroom dance we are used to - rather, it was more like a greeting ceremony, a series of bows, movements, turns, curtsies. The dancers moved in small steps according to a given pattern.

The stage character of the minuet is manifested in the pomp of costumes, static poses (there are many figures in the dance when one of the partners stands motionless), and complex choreography, which implied a constant change of poses and movements. It’s not for nothing that so much is dedicated to the minuet paintings– the dance just begged to be taken to the artist’s studio!

In the 18th century, the minuet experienced "modernization". Musical time signature, which previously took two full measures, began to occupy one measure. Improvisation became acceptable, story line, new, more complex movements. This type of dance is called balance-menuet.

The secret of the charm of dance

The emergence of the minuet as a ballroom court dance is closely connected with the name of the French king Louis XIV. The reign of this monarch became famous for its magnificent balls, ceremonial receptions, and expensive entertainment. It is not surprising that in XVI-XVII centuries France has become a trendsetter. The whole of Europe danced the minuet.

Of course, video materials from that time have not reached us. We know about the minuet:

according to descriptions (modern historical schools diaries and records of court choreographers are used for reconstruction of dance);
from fiction(mentions of dance can be found in Guy de Maupassant, Pushkin, Tolstoy);
By musical compositions(the genre is reflected in the works of Mozart, Handel, Bach, Tchaikovsky).
from letters and diaries of contemporaries.

It's interesting to see how dance was depicted in painting! In the paintings European artists The characteristic dance poses and figures are clearly visible. Almost everywhere on the canvases there is one dancing couple(the others are watching her). It is also clear from the paintings that the minuet was not the exclusive prerogative of the royal palace. It was danced in parks, city gardens, at carnivals and simply in nature.

Where did you learn the minuet? At the Paris Royal Academy of Dance, founded in 1661 by order of Louis XIV! The best dancers engaged in the codification of court dances, developed and recorded on paper diagrams, figures, and techniques for dancers. In those days they said: “Whoever knows how to dance a minuet can do everything!”

Interesting Facts

During the performance of a minuet, dancers move in a certain pattern. This can be a figure in the form of a number or a letter (letters S or Z).
The minuet was danced not only at balls. He was included in opera And ballet performances, instrumental suites, sonatas and symphonies.

The movements of a gentleman were considered more complex than those of a lady. He needs to demonstrate his respect for his partner, gallantly take off his hat in front of her, performing intricate steps with his headdress.
They say that during the minuet, gentlemen and ladies passed love notes to each other. They managed to read them while dancing and even convey a response message.
Couples did not hold hands during the minuet. It was allowed to lead the partner by the fingertips.
Mozart composed minuets for harpsichord at the age of six! They were recorded in the so-called music notebook, specially given to him by his father. Nowadays children at music school study Mozart's early minuets for harpsichord.
Pushkin very vividly described the dance steps in the novel “The Blackamoor of Peter the Great.” There is also a mention here that the prince’s daughter was taught the intricacies of the minuet by a captured Swedish officer.
In 2016, a group of 43 people distinguished themselves original performance Minuet by Mozart. They took turns throwing a coin into glasses filled with liquid: the result was a recognizable melody. The PARTY agency released this video for advertising purposes.

Minuet in Russia

It is a well-known fact: the minuet appeared in the Russian state thanks to Peter I. He brought this dance along with other wonders to northern capital; then he and his courtiers discharged European countries choreographers. In 1718, Peter signed an order on assemblies, which, among other points, stated: “Consume food in moderation, so that the heavy belly does not interfere with the dancing.” Peter I himself was an excellent dancer, he loved to walk along dance hall paired with his wife, Empress Catherine.

It so happened that in 18th-century France the minuet lost its significance as upper-class life after the Great French Revolution has changed dramatically. In Russia, on the contrary, it became fashionable, as it corresponded to the expression of the majestic imperial spirit, the pomp, wealth and idleness of the royal court.

Minuet in the works of famous composers

The minuet can be found in the works of many composers - Russian and foreign. Let's name a few of the most famous compositions.

Mozart. Minuet from the opera "Don Giovanni". An excellent example of a classical minuet - full-voiced, melodic, solemn. Captivates with a combination of depth and lightness - as always with Mozart.

Mozart. Minuet from the opera “Don Giovanni” (listen)

Luigi Rodolfo Boccherini. Minuet. One of the most recognizable and popular melodies. She is considered an independent work, but is actually part of the Quintet in A major (Op. 13 no. 5).

Luigi Rodolfo Boccherini. Minuet (listen)

Ignacy Paderewski. Minuet from the cycle “Concert Humoresques”. Spectacular piano piece in the spirit of old French melodies.

Minuet from the cycle “Concert Humoresques” (listen)

Haydn. "Bull Minuet" This comic melody has grown the whole story. By famous legend the composer composed a melody to order - for the wedding of a butcher's daughter, for which he received a whole bull as a reward from the customer. Whether this is true or not is difficult to say, but if you listen, it is characteristic that the melody itself “paints” for us a portrait of a clumsy animal trying to dance a ballroom dance.

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Today interest in the minuet is returning. Many dance schools They are trying to reconstruct the dance using surviving pictures, descriptions, and diagrams. Some modern choreographers even come up with new schemes within the genre! It’s not easy for modern couples to dance a minuet, and it’s not even about the costumes. This is not only an unusual pace, but also a different attitude to life. An echo of a time when people had more free time and a greater desire to pay attention to each other.

Video: watch Minuet

This term was borrowed from French"menuet", which translated means "ballroom dance". The minuet is filled with graceful poses, small steps, curtsies and bows. It got its name because of the small movements - “pas”.
In the distant Middle Ages it was considered popular. It was distinguished by its enthusiasm and spontaneity and had a completely different name " Branle de Poitou a Mener".

Already in 17 century, he became very fond of high-born gentlemen and ladies and changed his name. Now he bore the name "Amener" from the word "a mener", which translated from French means "to lead".
This change of name killed two birds with one stone: firstly, the primacy of the first couple was emphasized, since the king was always the first, and secondly, the ignoble origin of this dance was hidden.
A little later, this name was also abandoned. Since this dance had many small “pas”, instead of “Amene” they began to pronounce “Minuet” - “Pas Menu”, which translated meant “small step”.

The most popular dance "Minuet" became during the time of Louis. 14 It was under his reign that the rules of ballroom ceremonies were rewritten.
Indeed, in that barbaric time, touching a lady while dancing was considered the height of indecency.
In the "Minuet" the gentleman touches the tips of his lady's fingers and this is considered the norm.

Over time this light dance spread throughout Europe. Moreover, in order to make the movements of the dancers much more elegant, the Royal Academy in France began to improve it. Already in 18 century, the dance changed so much and became much more complex that not all gentlemen could lead their lady correctly. The movements became more cutesy, fanciful and faster. He was very popular among the French nobility. They began to say about him that " Minuet - the king of dances and the dance of kings".

The popular and beloved dance "Minuet" fell into oblivion when the great and terrible French Revolution came. Dance lovers either fled abroad or literally lost their lives.
It even became dangerous to dance the “Minuet”; for this they could be reported and sent to jail.

This dance received its second birth in ballet.

Many great composers paid tribute to this dance - Glazunov, Debussy, Glinka, Rubinstein, Tchaikovsky, Gluck, Mozart, Bethoven, Handel, Bach.
Someone introduced an instrumental suite, someone inserted elements of dance melody into their ballets, and someone into an operatic overture.
For the first time, anyone who used the "Minuet" in his work became great composer Joseph Haydn.

Guy De Maupassant did not leave such a popular dance in the past.

Excerpt from the story:
“Explain to me, old dancer, what is a Minuet?
He perked up.
Minuet, sir, is the dance of kings and the king of dances.
However, ever since there were no kings, the Minuet also disappeared."

What did the nobles dance at balls?

One of the most popular dances was Polonaise.It was most popular under Catherine II. Everyone danced without exception. Under Polonaise, ladies meet gentlemen.
Waltz occupied the second most popular place. In Russia it became fashionable only in the 19th century.
Mazurka danced in the middle of the ball. In Russia they learned about it in 1810. They dance the mazurka in four couples. During this dance one could talk.
Cotillion became famous in Russia in the 19th century. This is such an unusual dance-game.
Gavotte appeared in the 16th century. Already in the 17th century it began to be performed at court. Overly cutesy and graceful.
Quadrille appeared at the end of the 18th century. However, already at the end of the 19th century it lost its significance.
Polka a very fashionable French dance. It was brought to Russia by the famous dancer N. Goltz.

The minuet is the dance of kings. This is how he was characterized in past centuries, and nothing has changed these days. IN modern world Only true connoisseurs of art know about the existence of such a dance, but, alas, it has disappeared forever from the general public. Minuet is a dance that consists of slow movements, small steps, beautiful steps and curtsies. And in order to plunge into the past and find out exactly how our ancestors relaxed at balls, we will study in more detail the history and all the features of the minuet.

The birth of the genre

The minuet's birthplace is considered to be the historical region. There it existed along with others, which, however, were also performed in aristocratic circles. The essence of it then was only that the couples moved gracefully, taking small steps one at a time. Of course, such an action was always accompanied by an appropriate slow music. Even at that time, the folk French minuet was already performed in a certain size - ¾. Many composers wrote works specifically for this dance or simply improvised on receptions and balls.

The formation of dance among the broad masses

At the beginning of the 17th century about this amazing phenomenon folk art found out Louis XIV. It was he who officially proclaimed to the whole country that the minuet is a dance. This was news that instantly spread throughout all the cities, and at every aristocratic court, people close to the king, counts, barons and other holders of high titles began to perform the minuet. Considering the fact that in the 17th and 18th centuries throughout Europe and even in Russia there was a fashion for everything French, this new genre quickly gained leading positions in all noble courts.

The minuet was in favor in St. Petersburg and Moscow; it was performed in Poland and Great Britain. The popularity of the dance did not subside until the mid-19th century, when slow steps were replaced by more energetic rhythms and sharp movements.

Historical image of dance

At the dawn of its existence, the minuet consisted of extremely simple, but very graceful movements. The performers performed curtsies and drawn-out steps; they moved around the hall, now approaching each other, now moving away. Thus, the impression was created that the minuet was not a dance, but only an invitation, very gallant, flirtatious and polite. What was remarkable was that it was always performed by only one couple. That is, the guests took turns dancing the minuet - first the most noble people, then everyone else.

After the dance became widespread in France and abroad, its movements became more complex. It was important to perform steps to the side and forward with maximum precision, thus building up the figures. Another important metamorphosis also occurred. Since the 17th century, the minuet has been a dance performed by all guests at once. The kings walked first, followed by the Dauphins and their companions, and then the rest of the titled guests. All performers lined up in certain figures during the dance. Most often these were the letters “Z” or “S”.

Baroque era

During this period, the minuet undergoes significant transformations. His pace accelerates, his rhythm becomes more mobile and non-standard. If previously the dance was performed strictly in ¾, now a variation has been added to this size - 6/8. A minuet is a dance that is performed simultaneously for the most part guests. Moreover, all their movements should be filled not only with coquetry, but also with affectation, cunning, and charisma. In order to emphasize the “frivolous” nature of the dance, people swapped partners. It is also important to highlight that during the years of popularity the first classical musical accompaniment for this dance. They were divided into three parts and a code. The first was two-voice, the second was three-voice, and in the third part the motifs from the first were repeated. The coda was small and must be performed in a major key.

Features of learning dance

It’s amazing, but despite the apparent simplicity of performing the minuet, it was previously studied for years. From an early age, children were taught to move correctly, their plasticity and grace were developed. Every transition, every step was rehearsed with maximum precision, because any movement in such a dance had to be easy, as if improvisation, and at the same time clear, confident, coinciding with all the others. In fairness, it is worth highlighting that the minuet is a dance that is difficult primarily for men. They had to take off their hat, then, as if in one movement, lure the lady to dance, then, without interrupting the same “breathing,” put it back on their head.

As the world classics wrote

A minuet in music is not just an accompaniment for a dance that has a certain rhythm and tempo. This separate genre, which exists alongside the sonata or prelude. Initially it existed as separate form and was performed on the harpsichord or clavichord. Later it became an obligatory part of the instrumental suite. When the genre of opera began to gain popularity, the minuet became part of the overture. In the 18th century, entire suites began to be composed of minuets. The first number was always written in a major key, followed by a dance in a minor key.

Often this dance was alternated with others, where the modes also varied. Among the composers who wrote music in this genre, it is worth mentioning J. S. Bach. Along with him, Handel, J.-B. Lully and other composers of the Rococo era. Later, the creators of the Romantic era took up writing minuets. These were Beethoven (in his notes he calls the minuet “scherzo”), Gluck, Mozart, Satie, Debussy. The described genre is also found in the works of domestic composers: Tchaikovsky, Glinka, Rubinstein, etc.