Pavane
Slow processional dance in duple time, 16th century.
What it means
The pavane is a slow, measured processional dance in duple time from the 16th and early 17th centuries. It was a ceremonial court dance in which couples walked in a dignified procession. Its name is usually derived from the Italian city of Padua (padovana), more rarely from the Spanish word for peacock (pavo). The music is calm and usually consists of three repeated sections.
Musical use
The pavane is often followed as an after-dance by the livelier galliard in triple time. Thoinot Arbeau describes both in his Orchésographie (1589). Composers such as William Byrd, Orlando Gibbons and John Dowland wrote pavanes for lute, keyboard instruments and viols; Dowland's Lachrimae is famous. Later Maurice Ravel with the Pavane pour une infante défunte (1899) and Gabriel Fauré with his Pavane (1887) took up the name again.
The pavane should be distinguished from the galliard, which is faster and in triple time, and from the allemande, a German processional dance of the suite.
Performance practice
Play the pavane with dignity and calm, without hurrying. Pay attention to the even steps in duple time and articulate the repeats through light ornamentation; a measured, singing tone suits the character.