allemand
allemand
Pronunciation
The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) spelling for "allemand" is: /ˌæləˈmɑːnd/
al-: /æl/ - The "a" sound as in "pal" or "alley," followed by the "l" sound.
-le-: /ə/ - The unstressed schwa sound, similar to the "a" in "about."
-mand: /mɑːnd/ - The "m" sound, followed by the "ah" sound as in "father," and ending with "nd." The primary stress falls on this syllable.
Word Form Variations
Singular: allemand
Plural: allemands
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A stately and elegant court dance of German origin, popular in the 16th to 18th centuries, characterized by its moderate duple meter (typically 4/4 time) and procession of couples holding hands.
Synonyms: German dance
Antonyms: jig, reel, tarantella
In music, a composition written in the style of the dance, often serving as the first instrumental movement in a Baroque suite.
Synonyms: suite movement, musical piece
Antonyms: gigue, sarabande, courante (these are other contrasting movements within a suite, not direct opposites)
Adjective
(Archaic or used in its original French context) Of or relating to Germany; German.
Synonyms: German, Teutonic
Antonyms: French, Italian, Spanish
Examples of Use
Here are several real-world examples of the word "allemand" in use across various platforms.
In Books
In her analysis of Baroque dance forms, the musicologist Wendy Hilton explains, "The steps of the theatrical allemande were more intricate and varied than those of the social dance from which it derived, requiring considerable skill from the performer." (Wendy Hilton, Dance of Court & Theater: The French Noble Style 1690-1725)
In Newspapers
Reviewing a performance of Bach’s suites, a music critic observed, "The pianist rendered the opening allemande with a profound sense of gravity, allowing the intricate polyphony to speak for itself without any hint of rushed bravado." (The New York Times, January 2018)
In Online Publications
On a classical music blog discussing the structure of a Baroque suite, an author wrote, "The allemand almost always follows the prelude. Its character is typically serious and flowing, a thoughtful procession in 4/4 time that sets the stage for the livelier dances to come." (Interlude, October 2021)
In Entertainment
On the tracklist for a famous recording of Bach's Partitas, the second movement of Partita No. 1 in B-flat major is listed as "Allemande." (Glenn Gould, Bach: The Six Partitas, 1957)
In a historical film set in the 18th-century French court, a dance master might be heard instructing the nobility, "Remember, the allemand begins with the joining of hands. Let the music guide your steps with elegance and grace."
In General Public Discourse
During a university music history lecture, a professor might explain to the class, "While the name 'allemand' means 'German,' the dance form was standardized and refined by French composers like Lully and Couperin, becoming an essential component of the instrumental suite across all of Europe."
10 Famous Quotes Using Allemand
In his major treatise, Johann Mattheson described the character of the allemand as representing "a contented or satisfied spirit, which enjoys good order and calm." (Der vollkommene Capellmeister, 1739)
The dance’s true nature requires that the allemand be danced with much composure and what we call grimace. (Kellom Tomlinson, The Art of Dancing Explained, 1735)
As the first and most serious movement of the suite, the allemand sets a tone of dignified gravity for all the dances that follow.
To perform Bach’s Cello Suites is to understand the soul of each dance, and the soul of the allemand is one of profound, flowing contemplation.
At the grand ball, the festivities commenced not with a wild reel, but with the stately and elegant procession of an allemand.
The musical form of the allemand is characterized by its moderate duple meter, continuous melodic flow, and rich contrapuntal texture.
Though French in name, the allemand was a dance of supposed German origin that became a fixture in the courts of Europe.
A proper allemand demands a graceful linking of the hands, allowing the partners to move as one through the figures of the dance.
In the structure of the Baroque instrumental suite, the allemand almost invariably follows the prelude or overture.
One cannot rush the allemand; its beauty lies not in speed but in the poise and precision of each measured step.
Etymology
The word allemand is simply the French word for "German." At its heart, the word's origin traces back to the Alemanni, a group of Germanic tribes from ancient history.
So, how did the French word for "German" become the name for a specific dance and piece of music?
During the Renaissance (around the 1500s), it was very fashionable in the royal courts of Europe, especially in France, to adopt dances from different countries. Just as we might have a Spanish flamenco or an Irish jig, the French court had a popular, stately dance that was believed to have come from Germany.
Instead of creating a new name for it, they simply called it "the German dance," which in French is danse allemande.
The first known use of the word in English dates back to the mid-16th century. Initially, it was used to mean "a German person," but its use as the name of this specific dance quickly followed. The dance was a slow, graceful procession where couples held hands.
Over time, as the dance became a standard part of courtly life, composers like Johann Sebastian Bach began writing instrumental music in the style of the dance. This music, which captured the rhythm and serious mood of the dance, also came to be called an allemand. It eventually became the traditional first piece in the set of instrumental compositions known as a Baroque suite.
In short, the word took the following journey:
It began as the French word for "German."
It was used to label a popular court dance thought to be of German origin.
Finally, it became the name for a piece of music written in the style of that dance.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Allemand
Phrases Using "Allemand"
Since "allemand" is a specialized term, these phrases are most common in the worlds of music and dance.
To dance the allemand: To perform the specific Baroque court dance.
An allemand left: A standard command in contra and square dancing where two dancers join left hands and walk around each other. 💃
An allemand opening: A phrase describing a beginning that is stately, serious, and formal, much like the musical movement.
The allemande of diplomacy: A metaphor for a slow, careful negotiation where every step is deliberate and measured.
As graceful as an allemande: A way to describe movement that is poised, elegant, and controlled.
Idioms with a Similar Feeling
These idioms don't use the word "allemand" but capture its feeling of formality, order, and a deliberate pace.
To stand on ceremony: To insist on formal behavior and etiquette.
In lockstep: To move in perfect, rigid synchronization with others, like a procession.
Pomp and circumstance: Refers to a splendid and highly formal official event.
Slow and steady wins the race: An expression emphasizing the virtue of a deliberate, measured pace over haste.
Measure twice, cut once: A proverb advising careful planning and deliberation before taking action.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of allemand from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
