partita
A suite of dance movements, particularly associated with the keyboard and solo string works of J.S. Bach
In Depth
The term partita originally meant simply a set of variations, but by the Baroque era it had become synonymous with suite. Bach's six Partitas for keyboard (BWV 825–830) and three Partitas for solo violin (BWV 1001–1006) are among the towering achievements of the genre. Each partita typically includes the standard suite dances — allemande, courante, sarabande, gigue — along with optional movements. The term was revived in the 20th century by composers including Walton and Lutosławski.
Bach published his keyboard Partitas as his Opus 1, choosing these works above all others to introduce himself to the wider musical world.