Bourrée

Bourrée

The Bourrée (pronounced boo-RAY) is a lively dance originating in France during the Baroque period, and subsequently adopted as a musical form in classical music and a step in ballet. While its origins are somewhat debated, it became incredibly popular in the 17th and 18th centuries, spreading across Europe and influencing other dance forms. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the Bourrée, covering its history, characteristics, musical form, and its place in both social and theatrical dance.

History

The Bourrée's roots are generally traced back to the Auvergne region of France, specifically among the peasantry. Initially, it was a folk dance, a vigorous and fast-paced dance characterized by quick, hopping steps. The name “Bourrée” itself likely derives from the term for a peasant, “bourré,” suggesting its humble beginnings. Early descriptions depict it as a rustic dance, often performed with lively energy and a slightly clumsy, yet charming, style.

It entered the French court during the reign of Louis XIII (early 17th century) and was refined and formalized. Under Louis XIV, it became a favored dance at court, appearing in masquerades and courtly spectacles. The courtly Bourrée was significantly different from its folk origins, becoming more elegant and structured. This transition influenced its musical development as well.

Characteristics of the Dance

The Bourrée is characterized by several distinct features:

• Tempo: Generally quite fast and lively, creating an energetic feel.
• Time Signature: Most commonly in 4/4 time, though variations exist.
• Steps: The basic step involves a quick hopping movement, often starting on the second beat of the measure. There’s a characteristic “springing” quality to the movement.
• Posture: Dancers maintain a relatively upright posture, with a slight bend in the knees to facilitate the hopping steps.
• Movement: The dance often involves travelling movements, with dancers covering ground quickly and gracefully. It can be performed solo, in pairs, or as a group. Variations include the “Bourrée à deux” (for two dancers) and ensemble formations.
• Footwork: Precise and quick footwork is essential, emphasizing the rhythmic vitality of the music.

Musical Form

The Bourrée was not just a dance; it also became a distinct musical form. Composers began to incorporate the Bourrée into suites – collections of instrumental dance movements – alongside other dances like the Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, and Gigue.

• Binary Form: The musical Bourrée typically follows a binary form (AABB). Each section (A and B) is usually repeated.
• Character: The music reflects the dance’s lively character. It's generally written in a moderate or fast tempo, with a clear, driving rhythm.
• Instrumentation: Bourrées were originally written for a variety of instruments, including the harpsichord, violin, flute, and oboe. They were frequently included in orchestral suites.
• Harmonic Structure: The harmonic structure is generally simple and diatonic, focusing on clear tonal centers.
• Melody: Melodies are often characterized by stepwise motion and ornamentation, reflecting the elegance of the Baroque style.

Notable composers who wrote Bourrées include Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, and Jean-Baptiste Lully. Bach’s Bourrées from his French Suites and Partitas are particularly well-known examples of the form.

The Bourrée in Ballet

The Bourrée found a prominent place in ballet. It evolved from a lively, travelling step to a more codified element of ballet technique.

• Plié: The fundamental plié (bending of the knees) is crucial for executing the Bourrée step.
• Relevé: The Bourrée step relies heavily on the relevé (rising onto the balls of the feet) to create the hopping, springing quality.
• Pointework: In later ballet development, the Bourrée was often performed *en pointe* (on the tips of the toes), demonstrating a dancer’s technical skill.
• Turnout: Maintaining proper turnout (rotation of the legs from the hips) is essential for balance and aesthetic presentation.
• Port de bras: Elegant port de bras (arm movements) accompany the steps, enhancing the overall flow and expressiveness of the dance.

The Bourrée is often used in ballet to create a sense of lightness, speed, and joy. It's frequently incorporated into variations and pas de deux. Dancers utilize techniques like allegro to emphasize the quick, jumping nature of the step.

Related Concepts and Techniques

Understanding the Bourrée requires knowledge of several related dance and musical concepts:

• Baroque Dance: The Bourrée is a prime example of Baroque dance style.
• Suite (Music): As mentioned, the Bourrée is a standard movement within a suite.
• Counterpoint: The musical Bourrée often features counterpoint, the art of combining melodic lines.
• Figured Bass: Common in Baroque music, figured bass provides a harmonic framework for the Bourrée.
• Ornamentation: Ornamentation is frequently used in both the music and the dance to embellish the basic steps and melodies.
• Technical Analysis (Dance): Analyzing the precise footwork and body alignment of the Bourrée.
• Volume Analysis (Dance): Understanding how the dynamic range and energy levels contribute to the dance's impact.
• Trend Following (Dance): Identifying the evolution of the Bourrée over time.
• Mean Reversion (Dance): Recognizing how the Bourrée returns to its fundamental characteristics despite variations.
• Bollinger Bands (Dance): Conceptualizing the range of acceptable movement within the Bourrée.
• Fibonacci Retracements (Dance): Applying mathematical ratios to analyze the proportions of the dance.
• Moving Averages (Dance): Observing the average position and flow of the dancer's body.
• Relative Strength Index (Dance): Assessing the energy and momentum of the dance.
• MACD (Dance): Analyzing the convergence and divergence of movement patterns.
• Stochastic Oscillator (Dance): Evaluating the dancer's momentum in relation to their range of motion.
• Ichimoku Cloud (Dance): Visualizing the dancer's position and direction.
• Elliott Wave Theory (Dance): Identifying recurring patterns in the dance's structure.
• Candlestick Patterns (Dance): Recognizing visual cues in the dancer's postures.
• Chart Patterns (Dance): Analyzing the overall shape and flow of the dance.
• Risk Management (Dance): Protecting oneself from injury while performing the Bourrée.

Conclusion

The Bourrée, from its rustic origins to its refined presence in courtly life and ballet, represents a fascinating evolution in dance and music. Its lively energy, precise footwork, and distinctive musical form have ensured its enduring legacy. Understanding the Bourrée provides valuable insight into the rich cultural heritage of the Baroque period and its lasting influence on Western artistic traditions.

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