| By the early 18th century four dances had become standard in the suite: the allemande, courante, sarabande, and gigue, in that order. |
| In France, the dance became slower and more stately, as did the sarabande on its removal to France from Spain. |
| The sarabande was also in triple time, but its movement was slow and stately. |
| Graupner's variations after the sarabande are in this same tradition, one which Handel also followed. |
| The suites mostly have four short movements, a prelude or allemande, courante, sarabande and gigue, with some variants. |
| The sarabande is the most original, profound and impressive of any sarabande by Bach. |
