Gigue

A lively dance originating in the British Isles and popular in the Baroque period, typically in a compound meter such as 6/8 or 12/8. The gigue often serves as the final movement of a Baroque suite and is characterized by its fast tempo, spirited rhythm, and often contrapuntal texture. It features a distinctive rhythmic pattern and can be played in various forms, including simple jigs and more complex fugue-like constructions. Though primarily instrumental, the gigue occasionally has vocal counterparts and its presence is an important consideration for understanding the architecture of historical music suites.

Gigue meaning with examples

• The concert pianist concluded the Bach suite with a spirited gigue, the notes dancing like raindrops across the keys, the audience delighted by the joyful exuberance.
• As the dancers spun in circles and jumped in time, they performed a gigue in a grand ballroom that displayed precision and enthusiasm in every graceful movement. They did an incredible performance.
• The composer skillfully crafted a gigue for a string quartet. It showcased a complex counterpoint, demonstrating a mastery of instrumental writing and a celebration of harmonic possibilities. The audience gasped.
• Music scholars meticulously analyzed the structure of a Handel suite. They explained the way that the rhythmic drive of the gigue was balanced by the preceding movements for a complete experience, for the entire set.
• The Baroque orchestra launched into the finale of the suite: a thrilling gigue, the cellos and violins weaving a vibrant tapestry of sound, the listeners enthralled by its energy.