Eight Minuets

Eight dances, different characters

Eight short minuets make K. 315a/315g a collection to explore one dance at a time. The source inventory includes a surviving autograph and keyboard scores; the supplied edition presents the set with its associated trio sections. The practical interest lies in making the separate dances recognisable without exaggerating their differences or imposing the same weight on every phrase. A short movement can still have a clear beginning, response and conclusion.

At the keyboard

Choose two minuets and compare their opening gestures at a comfortable tempo. Decide where each phrase is leading before adding more speed. Where a trio follows, try changing the colour while preserving a convincing dance pulse. Returning to the minuet should then feel like recognising a character, rather than simply repeating the same notes.

Music in this edition

1. Eight Minuets