Dances from "Terpsichore" (arr Fenske)

Michael Praetorius

Michael Praetorius (arr. Katheryn Fenske)

General Info

Year: 2004
Duration: c. 2:49
Difficulty: I-1/2 (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Violin band
Publisher: Daehn Publications, through C.L. Barnhouse
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $60.00 | Score Only (print) - $7.00

Movements

1. Ballet
2. Leaping Dance

Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F
Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion, including:

Bass Drum
Crash Cymbals
Finger Cymbals
Floor Tom (large)
Gong
Sleigh Bells
Tambourine
Wood Block
Xylophone

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Terpsichore is a collection of 312 pieces (mainly French dances) published by Michael Praetorius in 1612. Although Praetorius composed many original works, he did not compose the pieces in Terpsichore. He learned these dances from dancing masters while he was working as Kapellmeister at the court of Wolfenbuttel and compiled them as examples of good four, five, and six-part writing. Praetorius has planned to produce a series of collections of secular music named after Greek muses, but Terpsichore, the goddess of dance, was the only one that was ultimately published.

Ballets at this time were performed n the Great Hall with the royal family seated on a raised platform at one end and spectators in galleries on three sides. Since much of the audience saw the dance from above, the choreography emphasized elaborate floor patterns created by groups of dancers. The lavish costumes, elegant scenery and intricate effects emphasized the fact that the dance was designed for the entertainment of the aristocracy.

The Courant (Leaping Dance) first appeared in 16th century French music. In his Orchesographie, Arbeau describes these early dances as having jumping movements with much of the figuration improvised. Although some of the later Courants or "running dances" consisted of may continuous flowing notes, the rhythmic variety and a definite hop of Leaping Dance is very typical of the early French version. A Courante such as this may have been performed during courtship as a way of "showing off" in typical Renaissance fashion. This piece was most likely originally performed by violin band.

- Program Note from score

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown
Audio CD: North Ridge Middle School Honors Band (Cynthia Lansford, conductor) - 2005

State Ratings

Florida: II
Indiana: ISSMA JH/MS/ELEM BAND GROUP III
Louisiana: II
North Carolina: II
Texas: II. Complete

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

North Ridge Middle School (North Richland Hills, Tx.) Honors Band (Cynthia A. Lansford, conductor) – 17 December 2020 (2020 Midwest Clinic)
Spring Wood Middle School (Hanover Park, Ill.) Symphonic Band - 2019
North Ridge Middle School (North Richland Hills, Tx.) Honors Band (Cynthia Lansford, conductor) – 15 December 2005 (2005 Midwest Clinic)

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

Dances from "Terpsichore" (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Minakuchi) (c. 1612/2016)

All Wind Works

Dance Suite (arr. Marlatt) (c. 1612/2017)
Dances from "Terpsichore" (arr. Fenske) (c. 1612/)
Dances from "Terpsichore" (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Minakuchi) (c. 1612/2016)
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming (arr. Kerchner) (1998)
A Renaissance Pageant (arr. Harnsberger) (c. 1612/2002)
Tänze aus Terpsichore (arr. and orch. Pilato) (c. 1612/2011)
Terpsichore Dance Suite (arr. Sato) (c. 1612/2003/2010)

Resources

Perusal score
Praetorius, M.; Fenske, K. (2004). Dances from Terpsichore [score]. Daehn Publications: New Glarus, Wisc.