3. The Minuet as Part of Instrumental and Dance Music in Europe

The chapter examines the position of the minuet in Western classical music, in particular from the second half of the seventeenth century until the end of the eighteenth century. During this period, the minuet was the most popular ballroom dance in Europe and was thus the only baroque form of dance that survived the end of the era. The chapter discusses how from early on, composers distinguished between minuet tunes for dance and stylized minuet tunes. The latter ones have appeared in different musical contexts from baroque dance suites to expressionist orchestral works, and they play an important role in masterpieces of several significant composers.