Johann Sebastian Bach
Französische Suite V G-Dur BWV 816 Gavotte
Overview
This piece is the fourth movement of French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816. Bach composed the French Suites around 1722, shortly after his second marriage, apparently to delight his new wife Anna Magdalena. They are preserved in the "Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach." The name "French" was not given by Bach himself, but was later applied due to the light, elegant character and warm affection that permeates these works.
The gavotte is a French dance originating from the Dauphiné region that became popular at the court of Louis XIV. Its most distinctive feature is the anacrusis (upbeat) beginning on beat three. The rhythm follows a "3-4-1-2" pattern, representing the dance movement of jumping on beats 3-4 and landing on beats 1-2.
When performing, play the first two notes lightly "away from the keyboard," then apply arm weight on the third note (the downbeat) for fuller resonance. The piece modulates from G major to D major and briefly to minor keys, so feel these harmonic shifts as you play. In the second half, the right hand plays legato while the left hand plays staccato—a coordination challenge requiring separate hand practice. Start trills from the upper note for an authentic Baroque sound. This gavotte is one of the most beloved movements in the French Suites and is accessible to intermediate players.
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