How Did The Sarabande Contribute To The Renaissance?

The Renaissance in France began in the mid 1400s. During this time period, there was a renewed fascination in arts, philosophy, and humanities. The word “renaissance” is defined as rebirth, so it is fitting that there was resurgence in interest in these topics. The period also offered an expansion upon more rational views of life, as well as new ways of thinking and expression. There was an abundance of “artistic experimentation” during this time, resulting in new styles of dance, music, and even fashion in the royal courts.
Renaissance court dances were a precursor to the dance form, ballet de cour. Of the renaissance court dances, the sarabande was one of the more popular styles throughout European courts. There were many influences during
This style was often accompanied with poetry that was considered indecent and obscene. The Christians, who were heavily influenced by the tenor of the Spanish Inquisition, thought the poetry “lewd” and unsavory . Because of this, the dance was vigorously suppressed beginning in 1583, and continued many years later. In spite of this active suppression, this dance was still favored by many and performed.
In the sarabande’s early form in Spain, a double line of couples would perform the dance the using castanets and lively music. Throughout the Renaissance, as new ideas spread, so did the music and dance style of the sarabande, and this form came to France by the 17th century. Within the French courts, the Sarabande evolved into a slow stately dance that was popular in France. Scholars believe this dance form has either a Mexican origin or perhaps a Spanish origin with Arab influences . It is also thought that this dance was modified as it moved into the New
This dance took on slow, serious and processional qualities that the French court preferred. It remained popular in France through the 17th century as many would adapt the form for the ballroom as well as the stage .
The music associated with this dance, had become part of Italian regular guitar repertoires by the end of the Renaissance. This musical influence hastened the spread of this dance form throughout Europe. As the form spread, the sarabande evolved into two distinct variations, the sarabande grave and the sarabande légère. The sarabande grave had a slower tempo, and was more stately and majestic. The French and German courts preferred this slower form. The sarabande légère contrasted the “grave” as being slightly faster and more lyrical. This form was preferred in the Spanish and English courts. Aside from the variations expressed by the sarabande grave and sarabande légère, the sarabande was generally a lively dance done in triple meter. In the French court it was slower and more restrained. It was most often performed as a solo or by a couple and not as a large group dance. This dance, as well as the other Renaissance court dances, were performed by members of the aristocracy, so when they performed these dances at royal balls, those with the higher social classes went first in the processional