Suite (Fr.)

A cyclical instrumental composition consisting of a set or series of pieces in various idealized dance forms. It originated, presumably, in the practice of the town-bands, during the later middle ages, of stringing together a succe ion of dance-tunes, differing in character and form but alike in key. These are the characteristic features of the old Suite, which was taken up in the 17th century by composers as a form of clavier-composition Under the name of Partie or Partita. The extension of the primitive forms, naturally resulting from instrumental treatment at the hands of Italian and German. musicians, was cut short by Couper in (1668-1733), who in many respects served Bach as a model; the © Kammersuiten of the latter mark the culmination of the old suite-form.—The earlier artistic Suites have 4 principal movements or divisions: The Allemande, Courante, Saraband, and Gigue; other forms introduced at will (inter me i) are the Bourrée, Branle, Gayotte, Minuet, Musette, Pa epied, Loure, Pavane, etc.; such an intermes 40 was usually brought in between the Saraband and Gigue, rarely before the SUIVEZ— former.—The modern orchestral Suite can hardly be called a revival of the old form, as the separate movements are not nece arily or generally in dance form, nor do they keep to one key; it more nearly resembles the Divert i men¢o, both in character and form,