agrement
French composer
Definition
The French Baroque term for ornaments: the tremblement (trill), port de voix (appoggiatura), coule (slide), mordant, and double, each notated with a specific symbol. Rameaus 1724 collection includes a detailed ornament table (methode) explaining their execution.
Interpretive Guidance
Consult Rameaus own ornament table before editing any agrements. French ornaments generally begin on the beat and on the upper auxiliary. The tremblement starts from above; the mordant touches the note below. Never substitute German or Italian ornament conventions.