Bach's Menuet in E major: Three Important Motives

The main theme of the Menuet has three motivic components. Motive a is composed of a sweeping stream of six eighth notes. Motive b consists of a double upper neighbor figure articulated by quarter notes. Motive c is the four-note descending bass figure heard first in m. 2. The following example illustrates these three motives, plus their most easily-perceived repetitions:

Bach Menuet: 
Three Motives

As this shows, and as we have already seen, Motive a returns in mm. 9 and 17. Motive b returns even more often, appearing in mm. 10, 18, and 20. Motive b is also transformed in m.6, its thirds expanded to sixths. Finally, the accompanimental Motive c is heard most of all. As the above iluustration demonstrates, it reiterated in m. 4, extended in m.6, transposed in mm. 8, 10 and 12, and further varied in mm. 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22. Some of the characteristic features of these three motives, such as articulation, melodic intervals, and rhythm are also reflected in other melodic passages of the Menuet. You may wish to re-examine the score to detect their subtle influence on the fabric of the piece.


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(c) Dr. James William Sobaskie

University of Wisconsin, Marathon Center
March 8, 1996.