Rigaudon
Lively French dance in duple time.
What it means
The rigaudon is a lively dance in duple time (usually 2/4 or 4/4) from southern France. It is marked by short, hopping steps and an upbeat that anticipates the start of each phrase.
Musical use
Originating as a folk dance from Provence, the rigaudon reached the French court in the 17th century and became a popular feature of ballet and opera, for instance in the works of Jean-Philippe Rameau and André Campra. In the instrumental suite it usually appears as one of the galant intermediate movements alongside the minuet, gavotte and bourrée. It is distinguished from the similarly buoyant gavotte chiefly by its characteristic upbeat and its somewhat brisker, more energetic motion.
Performance practice
Play the rigaudon with clearly articulated, short notes and give the upbeat a light emphasis so the dance-like lift remains audible. Playing it too smoothly and evenly robs the movement of its characteristic bounce.