SKU: A0.1037867

Unlike country dances, the formal dances of royal courts in the sixteenth century required a good deal of study and practice. Many dancing masters published self-help instructional books, especially in France and Italy. Composers and publishers saw a commercial potential in collections of dance music and one of the earliest collections was that by composer and publisher Tielman (or Tylman) Susato, who published his Danserye in Antwerp in 1551. These music books were usually arranged with four independent instrumental parts and intended for use by any instruments that happened to be available. The two almands in this arrangement were well known popular melodies at the time of publication. They still retain their freshness and charm today and are sure to be popular at any concerts, public recitals or end-of-semester events. This arrangement is for virtually any string ensemble and the single PDF file includes a full score and parts for violin 1, violin 2, viola (violin 3), cello and bass (combined), keyboard and simple percussion. Two additional melody part are provided in the treble and bass clefs and the chords (for optional guitar) are shown in both keyboard and cello-bass parts. In the spirit of the original publication, you can add to the melody line any other C-pitch instruments that happen to be available. Even the additional of a couple of recorders will enhance the sound. Alternatively, you can do opposite and create a pleasing contrast by omitting various instruments for certain sections. The audio demo will give you an idea how this might be achieved. While you can add flute, recorder, oboe, glockenspiel or whatever you want, additional instruments are not essential but can add contrasting tone colour. The keyboard part is intended as a guide and when possible, the keyboard player should feel free to improvise around the part and the chords shown. A digital or acoustic harpsichord sounds more authentic than a piano. Most electronic keyboards have a harpsichord option. The optional percussion instruments used are similar to those found in elementary school music rooms and usually include a tambour or hand-held drum, antique (finger) cymbals, wood-blocks and tambourine. Two or three players can be used (but feel free to add more) and the parts can be interpreted quite freely. Dance music is intended to be fun, and we hope that this arrangement brings you just that.

SKU: A0.522219

Arranged for strings, keyboard, any C-pitched instruments, simple percussion and other instruments by Colin Kirkpatrick

In this series, Renaissance Hits for Strings, some of the most well-known dances from Terpsichore are included. They are all attractive pieces and are sure to be popular at any concerts or end-of-semester events. They are fairly easy to play too and the flexible instrumentation allows any players to take a solo with the melody part. They can be played by string quartet, string orchestra or ideally string ensemble plus any other C-pitch instruments that happen to be available.

This publication consists of a score showing the four-part ensemble, keyboard and percussion parts. There are separate parts for violin 1, violin 2, viola (violin 3), cello/bass, percussion and keyboard. Additional instruments are not essential but they add contrasting tone colour. The keyboard part is intended as a guide and when possible the keyboard player should improvise around the part and chords shown. A piano sounds distinctly out of place in this music and a digital or acoustic harpsichord sounds more authentic. Most electronic keyboards have a harpsichord option.

Every instrumental part (except percussion) also shows the melody line. This allows anyone to take a solo and play the melody, while the other players remain tacet. Solos can be decided in advance and the parts marked accordingly. Just cross out what you don’t need! The percussion instruments used are similar to those found in elementary school music rooms and usually include a small bass drum or hand-held drum, clave or small headless tambourine. Two players are usually required and the parts can be interpreted quite freely. Dance music is intended to be fun, and we hope that this arrangement brings you just that.