chaconneshäkônˈ and passacaglia (päˌsəkälˈyə) [key], two closely related musical forms popular during the baroque period. Both are in triple meter time and employ a characteristic recurring harmonic pattern or actual bass line of four or eight bars. J. S. Bach's Chaconne from the D Minor Violin Suite and his Passacaglia in C Minor for organ are the most famous examples of these forms.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.