I actually completed this a while ago, but I forgot it was on my 101/1001 things list and thus didn’t manage to cross it off sooner, haha. Anyways, here’s a fairly good YouTube recording of my favourite Gavotte from Rameau (which actually is comprised of two small gavottes in A-B-A form):

I can assure you I don’t sound anywhere that good, nor can I play the second gavotte (starts at 1:05) that fast yet - my bow bouncing isn’t that efficient (although I can attribute the nice sound of the staccato to the fact that the violinist is operating an electric violin instead of a normal acoustic one). However, I have loved this piece for a long time and really believe that I have mastered the style very well: the first gavotte reminds me of a warm day at the end of summer transitioning into the golden days of autumn, whereas the second gavotte brings to mind dreary sunsets turning into chilly November nights, falling leaves, and finally the deathly silence and gloom of winter (which is one reason why I dislike playing the second gavotte so quickly - it loses the wintry feeling). Finally, the recapitulation of the first gavotte again evokes the return of spring and warmer days. It’s a gorgeous piece that reminds me of the cycle of a year, the passage of time, and the return of happy days after depressing ones.

Lovely piece indeed. I’m honored to be able to play it.

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