Writing Assignment: What musical form preceded the sonata allegro form? This form is often considered dramatic and rewarding. In what way is this so and why? Refer to the listening examples to help make your point.
Question one: what is a fugue?
Try Bach's Fugue in D-Minor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipzR9bhei_o
To answer your question about the musical form that predated the sonata allegro form, it is important to understand the historical context of music development and evolution.
The musical form that preceded the sonata allegro form is known as the Baroque dance suite. The Baroque era (approximately 1600-1750) was characterized by intricate ornamentation, elaborate structures, and rich musical textures.
The Baroque dance suite was a collection of stylized dance movements usually performed in a specific order. Each movement had its unique characteristics, tempo, and rhythm, representing various dances such as the Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Gigue, and Minuet.
While the Baroque dance suite may not be as explicitly dramatic as the sonata allegro form, it offered a sense of structure and contrast that made it rewarding for both performers and listeners. Its dramatic elements lie in the interplay of different dance movements with contrasting tempos, moods, and characters.
One example that demonstrates the dramatic and rewarding aspects of the Baroque dance suite is Johann Sebastian Bach's Suite No. 2 in B minor for Orchestra. The suite begins with an energetic and lively Overture, followed by a heartfelt and introspective Rondeau, and then continues with a lively and rhythmic Bourrée. These contrasting movements create a sense of drama and engage the listener's attention by providing diverse emotional experiences.
Furthermore, another example of the dramatic and rewarding nature of the Baroque dance suite can be found in Jean-Baptiste Lully's "Marche pour la Cérémonie des Turcs" from his opera "Le Bourgeois gentilhomme." This particular movement features powerful, driving rhythms, and a sense of grandeur, evoking the dramatic atmosphere associated with the noble courts of the time.
In summary, the Baroque dance suite, while different in structure and focus compared to the sonata allegro form, offered its own sense of drama and reward through contrasting movements, tempos, and moods. By studying compositions such as Bach's Suite No. 2 or Lully's "Marche pour la Cérémonie des Turcs," one can better understand the expressive power and richness of this musical form.