"The alman, or allemande, seems to have developed from an old German dance in four, or two long beats, to a bar time. A ballroom association grew up between the alman, which was of moderate tempo, and the livelier coranto. This was soon reflected in the classical instrumental suite, where the alman is used by Purcell, Bach and others as the opening movements sometimes preceded by a prelude." Page 202"The Alman is a simple, rather sedate dance, familiar to the Germans, and, I believe, one of our oldest since we are descended from them. You can dance it in company, because when you have joined hands with a damsel several others may fall into line behind you, each with his partner. And you will all dance together in duple time, moving forwards, or if you wish backwards… When you have reached the end of the hall you can dance while turning around without letting go of your damsel, and the dancers who follow you will do the same. When the musicians finish this first part each dancer stops and engages in light converse with his damsel and then you will begin all over again for the second part. When you come to the third part you will dance it to a quicker, more lively duple time with the same steps but introducing little springs as in the coranto." Page 125
