An Analysis of
J.S. Bach's Menuet in E major
(from the Sixth French Suite)
by
Dr. James William Sobaskie
Department of Music
University of Wisconsin, Marathon Center
Johann Sebastian Bach's Menuet in E major, from the Sixth French Suite, offers a valuable opportunity for the in-depth analysis of a complete musical composition. This tutorial demonstrates the approach presented in A Strategy for Musical Analysis, by this author. It also includes a copy of the musical score and lets you hear the music itself.
The analytical approach used in this tutorial is both comprehensive and practical. Our investigation of the Menuet will move your focus from the broad dimensions to small musical elements and back again to the complete work. We will start with easily-perceived features, then turn to subtler details, and finally consider some critical issues of performance and musical style.
Click on each step in the following sequence to see how this analytical strategy can help illuminate the music:
Contents
Menuet Score Tonal Goals Cadences Theme Motives Unique Features Form Tonal Structure Performance Implications Conclusions
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