Medieval Instrumental Dances

In Europe the tradition of secular dance has continued unbroken until the present. In the late Middle Ages it was an important and frequent event-for the nobility a gracious way to entertain guests, for the peasantry a welcome relaxation from the toils of the day. Now back in print, this collection presents compositions that are known or suspected to be instrumental dances from before ca. 1420. The 47 pieces vary in length and style and come from French, Italian, English, and Czech sources. Timothy McGee relates medieval dances to the descriptions found in literary, theoretical, and archival sources and to the depictions in the iconography of the Middle Ages. In a section on instrumental performance practices, he provides information about ornamenting the dances and improvising in a historically appropriate style. This comprehensive edition brings together in one volume a repertory that has been scattered over many years and countries.

Autorentext

Timothy J. McGee is Honourary Professor at Trent University and Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto. His many books include Medieval and Renaissance Music: A Performer's Guide; Singing Early Music: The Pronunciation of European Languages in the Late Middle Ages and Renaissance (IUP, 1996); and The Ceremonial Musicians of Late Medieval Florence (IUP, 2009).

Inhalt

Preface
Acknowledgments

DANCE IN THE MIDDLE AGES

The Evidence
Theoretical Statements and the Dance Repertory
Vocal Dances
Instrumental Dances

THE REPERTORY OF TEXTLESS DANCES

Estampie
Ductia
Nota
Other Dances
Saltarello
Dance Pairs and Trotto
Unidentified Dances
"Bel fiore dance"
"Chanconeta Tedescha"
"Czaldy Waldy"
"Chose Tassin"
No. 42
Summary

DANCING

Round and Carol
Estampie

PERFORMANCE PRACTICES

Instruments
Tempo
Ornamentation and Improvisation
Theoretical Evidence
Ornamented Manuscripts
Improvisation over a Cantus Firmus
Improvising Additional Dance Material
Preludes and Postludes
Drones
Monophonic and Polyphonic Performance
Notes

THE DANCES

Editorial Practices

Paris, Bibliotheque Nationale, fonds francais 22543
1a. Kalenda Maya
Paris, Bibliotheque l'Arsenal 5198
1b. Souvent Souspire
Oxford, Bodleian Libary, Douce 139
2.

Paris, Bibliotheque Nationale, fonds francais 844c

3. [La Prime Estampie Royal]
4. La Seconde Estampie Royal
5. La Tierche Estampie Roial
6. La Quarte Estampie Royal
7. La Quinte Estampie Real
8. La Seste Estampie Real
9. La Septime Estampie Real
10. La Uitime Estampie Real
11. Dansse Real
13. Danse

London, British Library, Additional 29987

14. Ghaetta
15. Chominciamento di Gioia
16. Isabella
17. Tre Fontane
18. Belicha
19. Parlamento
20. In Pro
21. Principio di Virtu
22. Salterello [1]
23. Salterello [2]
24. Salterello [3]
25. Salterello [4]
26. Lamento di Tristano-La Rotta
27. La Manfredina-La Rotta della Manfredina
28. Trotto

Florence, Archivio di Stato, Antecosimiano No. 17879

29. Danca Amorosa-Troto

Prague, State Library XVII F9

30. Czaldy Waldy

Montpellier, Bibliotheque de la Faculte de Medecine MS H196

31. Chose Tassin [1]
32. Chose Tassin [2]
33. Chose Tassin [3]
34. Chose Loyset

London, Britich Library, Additional 29987

35. Chanconeta Tedescha [1]
36. Chancona Tedescha [2]
37. Chancona Tedescha [3]
38. Chancona Tedescha [4]

London, Britich Library, Harley 978

40. 41.

London, British Library, Additional 28550 (Robertsbridge Codex)

44. Petrone

Faenza, Biblioteca Comunale 117 (faenza Codex)

45. Tumpes
46. Sangilio
47. Bel Fiore Danca

Critical Notes
Facsimiles and Transcriptions

PLATES

Dance in the Garden of Mirth Frontispiece

1. Detail from The Effects of Good Government 3
2. Detail from Church 3
3. Fresco, Trent 4
4. Music in the Garden of Delight 4