Bourrée in E minor
Bourrée in E minor is a popular lute piece, the fifth movement from Suite in E minor for Lute, BWV 996 (BC L166) written by Johann Sebastian Bach. This piece is arguably one of the most famous pieces among guitarists.[1]
A bourrée was a type of dance that originated in France with quick duple meter and an upbeat.[2] Though the bourrée was popular as a social dance and shown in theatrical ballets during the reign of Louis XIV of France, the Bourrée in E minor was not intended for dancing.[2] Nonetheless, some of the elements of the dance are incorporated in the piece.[2] Bach wrote his lute pieces in a traditional score rather than in lute tablature, and some believe that Bach played his lute pieces on the keyboard.[2] No original script of the Suite in E minor for Lute by Bach is known to exist.[3] However, in the collection of one of Bach's pupils, Johann Ludwig Krebs, there is one piece ("Praeludio - con la Suite da Gio: Bast. Bach") that has written "aufs Lauten Werck" ("for the lute-harpsichord") in unidentified handwriting.[3] Some argue that despite this reference, the piece was meant to be played on the lute as demonstrated by the texture.[3] Others argue that since the piece was written in E minor, it would be incompatible with the baroque lute which was tuned to D minor.[4] Nevertheless, it may be played with other string instruments, such as the guitar, mandola or mandocello, and keyboard instruments, and it is especially well-known among guitarists.[5] The tempo of the piece should be fairly quick and smooth, since it was written to be a dance. It also demonstrates counterpoint, as the two voices move independently of one another.[1] Furthermore, the Bourrée in E minor demonstrates binary form.[6]
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[edit] In classical music
Robert Schumann quotes the first 14 notes of this memorable theme (transposed to G minor) in #3 of the Op. 60, 6 Fugues on B–A–C–H, where he neatly combines it with the B♭ A C B motif. There also appears to be an echo of this reference in the next fugue, #4.
[edit] In popular culture
The piece has been used by a number of musicians:
- Paul McCartney has said in interviews and on tours that the songs "Blackbird" and "Jenny Wren" were both inspired by variations and alterations to the bourrée.[7]
- The London Blues-rock group Bakerloo released their arrangement of the tune, titled "Drivin' Bachwards", as a single on Harvest Records (HAR 5004) in July 1969. The same recording appeared on their self-titled debut album (Harvest SHVL 762) the following December.
- Jethro Tull used the piece in the third track in their August 1969 album Stand Up, "Bourée".[8] Alternative versions of the same track appear on The Jethro Tull Christmas Album and A Little Light Music.
- Led Zeppelin has used this piece in live performances while playing "Heartbreaker".[9]
- Tenacious D used it for their songs, "Rock Your Socks" and "Classico", which was played in Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny.[10]
- Yngwie Malmsteen has also been known to integrate this, among other works by Bach, into his live sets.[11][1]
- Leo Kottke performs "Bouree" on the album Mudlark.[1]
- Lenny Breau re-harmonized this piece and recorded it on the album Minors Aloud under the title "On a Bach Bouree".
- Alter Bridge used this riff as the chorus to Wayward One, the closing track of their 2007 album Blackbird.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Mark Phillips; Jon Chappell (21 November 2008). Guitar Exercises for Dummies. For Dummies. p. 87. ISBN 9780470387665. http://books.google.com/books?id=qYeILTZ0OqAC&pg=PR11. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ a b c d Nancy Bachus; Daniel Glover (1 July 2000). The Baroque Spirit, Bk 2: Book & CD. Alfred Music Publishing. p. 28. ISBN 9780739005026. http://books.google.com/books?id=mgf1ijR_rFcC. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ a b c Hannu Annala; Heiki Mätlik (15 June 2008). Handbook of Guitar and Lute Composers. Mel Bay Publications. p. 32. ISBN 9780786658442. http://books.google.com/books?id=8_cS-jP7ntoC. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ Johann Sebastian Bach; Jozsef Eotvos (14 November 2002). J. S. Bach: The Complete Lute Works. Mel Bay Publications. p. vi. ISBN 9780786668199. http://books.google.com/books?id=fZdPip4zC88C&pg=PR6. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ Elizabeth T. Knuth. "Bourrée". http://www.users.csbsju.edu/~eknuth/mandotab/bourree.html. Retrieved 2007-12-18.
- ^ Bill Purse (June 2003). The PrintMusic! primer: mastering the art of music notation with Finale PrintMusic!. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 164. ISBN 9780879307547. http://books.google.com/books?id=ScqjhuyWrk0C. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ Bass Player. "He Can Work It Out". http://www.bassplayer.com/article/he-can-work/oct-05/13698. Retrieved 2007-12-18.
- ^ Jethro Tull, Scott Allen Nollen, Ian Anderson (McFarland, 2001) Page 47
- ^ Songfacts. "Heartbreaker by Led Zeppelin". http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=314/. Retrieved 2007-12-18.
- ^ Kickass Classical. "The Most Popular Classical Music". http://www.kickassclassical.com/. Retrieved 2007-12-18.
- ^ Chordie. "Bachs Bouree by Yngwie Malmsteen". http://www.chordie.com/chord.pere/www.ultimate-guitar.com/print.php?what=tab&id=211377. Retrieved 2007-12-18.
