In Baroque-era suites, which dance is commonly the first movement?

• A. Courante
• B. Allemande
• C. Sarabande
• D. Gigue

Answer: (B)

The opening movement in many Baroque suites is the allemande. It’s a German-origin dance marked by a steady, moderate tempo and a flowing, continuous melodic line that helps establish the suite’s character without feeling hurried or heavy. The allemande is typically in binary form and works well as a unifying foundation, giving performers a clear tonal center to build from as the other dances follow.

Other dances bring a different mood: the courante is brisk and lively, the sarabande is slower and more solemn, and the gigue is energetic and final. These contrasts explain why the allemande is the best choice to begin a Baroque suite, offering a balanced introduction before the more varied colors of the remaining movements.