Passacaglia - Musical Definition

Passacaglia - A dance in triple time with a ground bass.

The term is often used interchangeably with chaconne, the two forms being nearly identical.


Sheet Music examples where the term 'Passacaglia'   is used:

One of the most famous examples is Bach’s Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor BWV 582.



Another is Henry Purcell’s When I am Laid in Earth, from Dido and Aeneas.



Other examples of use: