Description

Instrumentation: Flute, Descant Recorder (Flute 2), Bb Clarinet, Violin, Accordion / Piano / Guitar, Bass

This is an arrangement of a dance from the 1651 collection of John Playford, the “Dancing Master.” Playford’s dances form an important part of this genre from this period and they are still danced today by members of the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS.) The books form part of the collection housed in their archives, Cecil Sharp House, in London, so-called after the man who did so much to locate, transcribe and collate English Folk Music.

This dance is in a steady duple beat and is subject to a variety of accompaniment patterns, with rising arpeggio figures in the violins and imitative entries elsewhere.

A tempo of Minim = 72 – 76 is about correct for the style.