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minuet

minuet (minyOOet') [key], French dance, originally from Poitou, introduced at the court of Louis XIV in 1650. It became popular during the 17th and 18th cent. In 3–4 meter and moderate tempo, the minuet was performed by open couples who made graceful and precise glides and steps. The minuet left a refined but definite imprint on music; it is found in the operatic sinfonias of Alessandro Scarlatti and appears frequently as a movement in the symphonies and sonatas of Haydn and Mozart.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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The G minor minuet of Mozart's 'Haffner' Serenade: yet another musical joke? (Musical Times)

8 Variations on a Dutch Song. 6 Variations on "Salve tu, Domine." 7 Variations on "Willem van Nassau." 12 Variations on a Minuet by Johann Christian Fischer. 12 Variations on "Je suis Lindor." 6 Variations on "Mio caro Adone" by Salieri. Londoner Skizzenbuch: 6 Pieces. Overture. Allemande. Courrante. Eine kleine Gigue in G. Capriccio in C, K 574. Minuet in D, K 355; 6 Variations on an Allegretto. Andante fur eine Walze in eine kleine Orgel. Rondo in D, K 485. 10 Variations on "Unser dummer Pobel meint." 12 Variations on an Allegretto. Sonata Movement in B[musical flat], K 400. Fugue in g, K 401. 12 Variations on "Ah vous dirai-je, Maman." 12 Variations on "La belle francoise." Fantasy in c, K 396. Kleier Trauermarsch in c. Fantasy and Fugue in C, K 394. Rondo in a, K 511. Adagio in b, K 540. Allegro in g, K 312. 9 Variations on a Minuet by Duport. Allegro and Rondo in F. 8 Variations on "Come un'agnello." 8 Variations on "Ein Weib ist das herlichste Ding." Sonata Movement and Minuet in B[musical flat]. 8... (Fanfare)

String Quartet in A, "Brilliant"/Prelude to a Fugue/Quartet, "Pencarrow"/Cue in E/Minuet in B[musical flat]/Minuet-Scherzo in A/Pastorella In D/Presto in A/Andante in E[musical flat]/Minuet and Trio in A[musical flat]/Fugue in b/Andante favori/4-Part Simple, Double, and Triple Fugues (Fanfare)

Fantasie in c, D 993(2e). Minuets: in a, D 277a; in A, D 334. Ungarische Melodie in b, D 817. Rondo in E, D 506. Andante in C, D 29. Scherzos: in B[musical flat], D 593/1; in D[musical flat], D 593/2. Minuet in c#, D 600. March in E, D 606. Variations in F, D 156 (Fanfare)

Amphitryon, or the Two Sosias: Overture; Saraband; Hornpipe; Celia, that I once was blest; Scotch tune; For Iris I Sigh; Air; Minuet; Pastoral dialogue; Hornpipe; Bourée. Sir Barnaby Whigg: Blow, Boreas, blow. The Gordian Knot Unty'd: Overture; Second Music Aire; Second Music Minuet; First Act Air; Second Act Rondeau; Third Act Aire; Fourth Act Jigg; Chacone. Circe: We must assemble by a sacrifice; Their necessary Aid you use; Come every Demon; Magician's dance; Pluto, arise!; Lovers who to their first Embraces go (Fanfare)

String Quartets: No. 5 in B[musical flat]; in c, "Quartettsatz." String Trio in B[musical flat], D 471. 5 Minuets, D 89. Overture in c, D 8 (ed. Hess)1 (Fanfare)

The minuet goes on and on. (test-ban dispute) (U.S. News & World Report)

The last minuet: disparate treatment after Hicks. (Michigan Law Review)

Middle East minuet. (prospects for peace conference between Israel and Jordan) (National Review)

America's Gulf minuet; for the U.S., a risky new role in the Middle East. (Persian Gulf) (U.S. News & World Report)

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