Notes and Editorial Reviews
Carols for Dancing focuses on the intimate connection between familiar holiday music and Medieval and Renaissance dance. These instrumental arrangements were made by
Renaissonics for the public radio holiday special hosted by
Sound & Spirit's Ellen Kushner.
While people usually think of carols as songs performed by choirs during the Christmas season, they originally sprang up as dance songs for a variety of holidays and times of year. But these laud, villancicos, noels, and carols — all rooted in medieval dance song — soon became linked with celebrations of Christmas and then flowered all over Europe during the Renaissance. At Christmas, these cheerful songs accompanied dancing at home and in the
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streets, in churches and cathedrals.
Since ancient times, the movement from darkness to light at the winter solstice had been an occasion of joy and hope. To celebrate the longer days and increasing light, people feasted, sang, told stories, and danced. When the Church settled on Dec. 25 for the celebration of Christmas, the holy day absorbed much of the character of the preexisting midwinter holidays. Consequently, dance became part of the Christmas story — angels dance, shepherds run, leap, and dance, the magi process — indeed, all but the most dour Christian folk would join in the exuberant celebration whenever and wherever possible!
Featuring instrumental performances by Renaissonics — an award-winning improvisatory Renaissance dance band that created these arrangements for a public radio program hosted by Ellen Kushner and a companion music recording — Carols for Dancing explores that midwinter holiday dance tradition.
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Works on This Recording
1.
On Christmas Night "Sussex Carol" by Traditional
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Written: England
2.
In dulci jubilo by Michael Praetorius
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Renaissance
Written: by 1619; Germany
3.
Good King Wenceslas by Traditional
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Written: England
4.
Joseph, lieber Joseph mein by Michael Praetorius
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Renaissance
Written: Germany
5.
Resonet in laudibus by Michael Praetorius
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Renaissance
Written: Germany
6.
Remember, O thou man by Thomas Ravenscroft
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Renaissance
Written: by 1611; England
7.
The English Dancing Master: Halfe Hannikin by John Playford
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Baroque
Written: by 1651; England
8.
Greensleeves by Traditional
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; England
9.
Terpsichore: Suite of Gavottes by Michael Praetorius
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Renaissance
Written: by 1612; Germany
10.
Tant que vivray en aage florissant by Claude de Sermisy
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; France
11.
Branle gai by Claude Gervaise
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; France
12.
Bransle de Poictou by Claude Gervaise
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; France
13.
Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle by Traditional
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Written: France
14.
Patapan by Traditional
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Renaissance
Written: Burgundy, France
15.
Un sarao de la chacona by Juan Arañés
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Baroque
Written: by 1624; Spain
16.
Fum, fum, fum by Traditional
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Written: Mexico
17.
Saldivar Codex no 4: Gaitas by Santiago de Murcia
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Baroque
Written: by 1732
18.
El la don, don Verges Maria by Mateo Flecha
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Renaissance
19.
Ríu, ríu, chíu "El lobo rabioso" by Mateo Flecha
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Medieval
Written: Spain
20.
La Piva by Vincenzo Ruffo
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; Italy
21.
Terpsichore: no 10, La canarie by Michael Praetorius
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Renaissance
Written: by 1612; Germany
22.
Piva by Joan Ambrosio Dalza
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; Italy
23.
Salten y bailen by Traditional
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Written: Catalonia, Spain
24.
Quanno nascette Ninno a Bettlemme by St. Alphonsus Liguori
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Baroque
Written: Italy
25.
Courante by Michael Praetorius
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Renaissance
Written: Germany
26.
L'Official by Thoinot Arbeau
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Renaissance
Written: France
27.
Lavolta by William Byrd
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Renaissance
Written: England
28.
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day by Traditional
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Renaissonics
Period: Renaissance
Written: 16th Century; England
Featured Sound Samples
On Christmas Night "Sussex Carol" (Traditional)
Terpsichore (Praetorius): No 10: La canarie
Quanno nascette Ninno (St. Alphonsus Liguori)
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