chaconne

[ sha-kawn, -kon, shah-; French sha-kawn ]

noun

, plural cha·connes [sha-, kawnz, -, konz, shah-, sh, a, -, kawn].

1. an ancient dance, probably of Spanish origin, in moderate triple meter.
2. a musical form based on the continuous variation of a series of chords or of a ground bass.

chaconne

/ ʃakɔn; ʃəˈkɒn /

noun

1. a musical form consisting of a set of continuous variations upon a ground bass See also passacaglia
2. archaic.
   a dance in slow triple time probably originating in Spain

Word History and Origins

Origin of chaconne¹

1675–85; < French < Spanish chacona

Word History and Origins

Origin of chaconne¹

C17: from French, from Spanish chacona, probably imitative of the castanet accompaniment

Example Sentences

“Gradus ad Parnassum” has for centuries been a name for artistic instruction guides and studies, as well as a seminal counterpoint treatise by Johann Joseph Fux, whose resplendent Chaconne is Rondeau’s penultimate track.

From New York Times

Injuries have curtailed her progress, but she emerged from the pandemic refreshed and recharged, making important debuts in two vintage gems: Balanchine’s “Chaconne” and Balanchine and Robbins’s “Firebird,” which she reprised this season with mystery and mastery.

From New York Times

Widmann’s surprisingly light touch serves the Sarabande especially well, and in the vast Chaconne her playing is so natural and elegant that it tilts the balance away from the music’s spiritual angst just enough to allow a listener to appreciate the beauty of Bach’s writing anew.

From New York Times

At one point, GoGwilt played Bach’s well-known D Minor Chaconne the second Partita for solo violin to a dance that went through as many emotional ups and downs as Tines’ performance.

From Los Angeles Times

Mejia will dance both with New York City Ballet Moves, making his debut in Jerome Robbins’s “A Suite of Dances,” and with the Limón company, performing José Limón’s “Chaconne” solo, in addition to appearing in a new work by Quan.

From New York Times