What is a Chaconne?

A look at the 17th century macarena.
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Classical Nerd is a weekly video series covering music history, theoretical concepts, and techniques, hosted by composer, pianist, and music history aficionado Thomas Little.
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Music:
- J.S. Bach: Violin Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004, Mvt. V “Chaconne,” arranged for solo piano by Ferruccio Busoni, performed by Stefano Ligoratti and available on IMSLP: tinyurl.com/gl8ubd8
- Thomas Little: Dance! #2 in E minor, Op. 1 No. 2, performed by Rachel Fellows, Michael King, and Bruce Tippette
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Contact Information:
Questions and comments can be directed to:
nerdofclassical [at] gmail.com
Tumblr:
classical-nerd.tumblr.com
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All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information.

[@blackhairedjake]

i’m here because of enhypen’s new tracklist(…)

[@PHUPINK-ze5ev]

Me too 😂

[@sajiakausar779]

Nah, cause me too,haha

[@Taezanu]

Yeah 😅

[@mknkverse]

Me too 😂😂😂

[@user-bg9cn4dq7f]

Lol same

[@mknkverse]

Im here because of ENHYPEN

[@nurrasyid14_]

What? Tell me how😂

[@user-bg9cn4dq7f]

Same lol

[@user-bg9cn4dq7f]

Who else is here from enhypen?

[@Ali-mp3xg]

i just know i’m not the only one here because of enhypen

[@voxxandy6136]

ENGENES!

[@ClassicalNerd]

Extra video time! I’ve gotten so many requests that I have content scheduled for production every Thursday until next year (!), which means that several episodes I uploaded nearly a year ago wouldn’t otherwise see the light of day. This is one of these “extra” episodes, which will run every Tuesday on this channel until I run out. Production quality varies quite a bit because they _are_ fairly old episodes. But my only other option would be to re-film them and I have enough to get to without putting that on my plate as well.

[@tofuprius3384]

Thanks for making this! It's great to have concise summary of it's history. You saved me lots of searching =)

[@dianapipa2851]

very engaging explanation about the genre!! thanks for the insightful information bravi

[@Hotsk]

I watched and listened, but still don‘t have a clue as to what a chaconne actually is.

[@moooobkityy]

It is a spiritual operation. It represents rebirth of better world.

[@Hotsk]

@@moooobkityy Even after reading your explanation, I still haven't a clue.

[@moooobkityy]

@@Hotsk cause you need a rebirth.

[@Hotsk]

@@moooobkityy Don't we all?

[@moooobkityy]

@@Hotsk you do obviously if you can't understand what Chaconne is about. Good luck with your inner discovery

[@leden123]

Amazing! Thank u

[@MarcosAlejandro1618]

Muy bien!!!

[@koumamahed3089]

What's the name of the musical piece that ends your video?

[@ClassicalNerd]

All my music is listed in the description of every video. This is "Dance! #2," one of the first pieces I ever wrote, which can be found at kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKHWaKaHj8qWh7s

[@jeremyrandall7228]

Thanks

[@someopinion2846]

The Aztecs had conservatories etc so I wonder... Today the chaconne/passacaglia continues as the pop song.

[@tufghbv]

No, dude! Moooooore!

[@PedroTrueMX]

I still have no clue what a chaconne is

[@butternut5385]

What do you mean by saying it was imported from the "New World"? Is this to say it was a dance of indigenous people in the Americas? Sounds a little fishy to me. Which people? Where? More explanation, please!

[@ClassicalNerd]

This video is _quite_ old, so it's not nearly as in-depth as what I do today. Unfortunately, even if I made this video tomorrow, there wouldn't be much more information, as the exact origins of the chaconne are pretty mysterious. It cropped up in Spanish popular culture around the end of the 16th century, where Spanish writers cited the _chacona_ as a type of suggestive dance/song associated with the lower classes and indigenous American population that made its way to the Spanish mainland via their American colonies. Given the absence of known written records, this is the extent of what we know.

[@butternut5385]

@@ClassicalNerd Thank you very much for your quick reply. I really wasn't expecting that. This topic interested me because I always had a special fondness for the chaconne. The whole issue of early Spanish music in the Americas is pretty interesting. Here's to the mystery!

[@Sunghoons_left_toenail]

Everyone is here because of enhypen I can relate

[@davidmastikosacomposer]

You should learn how to explain things to other people. :)

[@stephenedds9264]

Pity you can’t pronounce baroque !

[@ClassicalNerd]

How did _you_ grow up saying it??

[@stephenedds9264]

It’s pronounced BA ROCK. As I live 300 metres from the most famous Baroque palace, the Belvedere in Vienna and Vienna being the most Baroque city of all I guess I should know.

[@ClassicalNerd]

@@stephenedds9264 Forgive me for being American and having never once heard that pronunciation from literally anyone.