The Descending 5-6 Sequence from Handel to Chopin

Here are some examples of the Descending 5–6 Sequence, a member of the Romanesca family of voice-leading schemata. In compiling these examples I have made use of Timothy Cutler's website http://musictheoryexamples.com/

The Descending 5–6 Sequence is closely related to the Leaping or Pachelbel Romanesca, but it replaces that schema's succession of root position chords with an alternation of root position and first inversion chords. The bass, like that of the Pachelbel, starts on 1, but instead of Pachelbel's down-a-fourth, up-a-second zig-zag, it descends by step. See Robert Gjerdingen, Music in the Galant Style, pp. 31–32, and Giorgio Sanguinetti, The Art of Partimento, pp. 138 and 140.

The Descending 5–6 Sequence continued to fascinate musicians in the twentieth century. Listen, for example, to Carlos Gardel's "Por una cabeza" (1935), as sung by the composer himself:    • Por una Cabeza (Original) - Tango - Carlos...  

Other examples include:

Haydn, Symphony No. 27, I:    • J. Haydn: Symphony No. 27 in G major. Shee...  
Galuppi, Confitebor tibi Domine, "Redemptionem misit":    • Baldassare Galuppi: 'Confitebor tibi Domin...  
Fanny Hensel, "Neue Liebe, neues Leben":    • Music Theory 2 - Descending Third Sequence...  
Vinci, Artaserse, "Vo solcando":    • Vo solcando un mar crudele (Artaserse - L....  
C. P. E. Bach, Magnificat, "Fecit potentiam":    • CPE Bach - Magnificat - Fecit potentiam  
Schobert, Sonata in F, Op. 16 No. 4, I:    • Johann Schobert Trios  for Harpsichord Op1...  
Haydn, Symphony No. 2, I:    • J. Haydn: Sinfonía nº 2 en Do Mayor. Symph...  
J. S. Bach, French Suite No. 5, Gavotte:    • Bach French Suite 5 Gavotte Emil Gilels  
Mozart, Missa Solemnis, K. 337, Credo:    • Credo, Missa Solemnis in C(3) KV337: Mozart  
Hasse, Zenobia, "Ha negli occhi un tale incanto":    • J.A. Hasse - Ha negli occhi un tale incant...  
Tischer, Minuet in B flat:    • CLASSICAL IMPRO: Tischer, Minuet in B flat...  
Ozi, Symphonie concertante No. 3, Op. 10, I:    • Etienne Ozi (1754-1813) - Troisieme Simpho...