Johann Mattheson
In his "Musikalisches Lexicon" (Leipzig, 1732), Johann Gottfried Walther wrote that the allemande "must be composed and likewise danced in a grave and ceremonious manner." Likewise in "Der Vollkommene Capellmeister" (Hamburg, 1739) Johann Mattheson described the allemande as "a serious and well-composed harmoniousness in arpeggiated style, expressing satisfaction or amusement, and delighting in order and calm". Its music is characterised by absence of syncopation, combination of short motifs into larger units and contrasts of tone and motif.