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Suite (Fr.) (sweet)

A set or series of movements. The suite originally consisted solely of dance tunes to which "airs" or movements, designated by the tempo terms, allegro, etc., were added. The classical suite contained: Ist, allemand; 2d, coranto; 3d, saraband; 4th, gigue, preceded by a prelude. Occasionally the gavotte, pavan, loure, minuet, etc., may be found with or in place of some of the above dances. According to the rule of the suite, all the movements had to be in the same key.