Minuet

MINUET (Fr. Menuet; Ger. Menuett; Ital. Minuetto). A piece of music in dance rhythm, and of French origin. The name is derived from the French menu (small), and refers to the short steps of the dance. The exact date of its first invention is uncertain. According to some authorities it came originally from the province of Poitou, while others say that the first was composed by Lully. In its earliest form the minuet consisted of two eight-bar phrases, in 3-4...