Classical Music Questions for mikeeschman

These two are very close.

A Chaconne is a slow, stately baroque dance that features variations on a theme.

A Passacaglia is a short, slow and grave piece that features variations over a repeating bass line.

tonight when i get home from work, i'll dig these up in the harvard and post a more complete response.

Brilliant Mike - at least the question was not too shameful. I just couldn't find such a clear and eloquent answer anywhere else, and am unsure what two examples would best illustrate the difference.

while i'm in the harvard, i'll try to snag examples.

I admit to knowing nothing about musical composition, arrangement, playing ... I just know I love music and my one area of expertise (albeit limited) is that of film soundtracks.

I mention this and interject in this thread just for the amusement (I hope) the following brings:

The Ennio Morricone score to the Michael Douglas~Demi Moore film Disclosure includes the following track titles:

12. First Passacaglia 13. Second Passacaglia and 14. Third Passacaglia.

See: http://www.soundtrackcollector.com/catalog/soundtrackdetail.php?movieid=5870

Not knowing what the word meant I had no idea it was a musical term so I thank you both (for raising and answering the query).

From the Harvard Dictionary of Music :

Chaconne and Passacaglia : "...Two closely related forms of baroque music, each a kind of continuous variation in moderately slow triple meter and with a slow harmonic rhythm, changing generally with the measure.

...

There have been many futile attempts to explain the derivation and original meaning of these terms, and just as many attempts, equally futile, to make a clear distinction between them. Actually, baroque composers used the term indiscriminately."

make of that what you will :-)

another poster has provided some music for the Passacaglia. perhaps a third generous soul can provide a link that completes the set ...

here's a Chaconne :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpZk5Edqdy0

it would be nice if someone could look in their OED and see if they get a hit. That would be an excellent hit! to post ...

and God forbid someone had an Oxford Dictionary of Music and they sited it on this thread!!!!!!!!!

and here's a Passacaglia :

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/js-bach-passacaglia-a...06/?icid=VIDLRVMUS07