Forlane

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The forlane (from Italian furlana) is a traditional dance with a rapid rhythm, originating in Friuli. Introduced to France by André Campra at the end of the 17th century, it became a courtly dance.

The best-known piece so entitled is surely the Forlane from Maurice Ravel's piano suite Le Tombeau de Couperin, which is, however, a rather plaintive piece in moderate time. There is another at the end of Ernest Chausson's piano suite Quelques Danses (Some Dances). This one is far livelier and features a cross-rhythm of 3 against 6.