For modern listeners, music is a journey through many different feelings. A single song might start mournful, become hopeful, and end in passionate joy. However, for composers in the Baroque era music was treated differently. The goal was to focus on, perfect, and maintain one single emotion per movement. This powerful idea was known as the Doctrine of the Affections.

The Baroque era, spanning from approximately 1600 to 1750, marks a period of profound change and dramatic flair in Western music. The era is characterised by its ornate, highly decorated, and often complex textures, Baroque music is a rich tapestry woven with expressive melodies and rigorous structures. This period is pivotal in music history, solidifying many forms and practices that would influence music for centuries to come.

A gavotte is a French dance form that originated in the 16th century and became popular in the Baroque era (roughly 1600-1750). It is characterized by its moderate tempo, often in 2/2 or 4/4 time, and its distinctive rhythmic pattern that typically begins on the second beat of the measure. This gives it a graceful, often light, and sometimes stately feel.