Dances From Terpsichore: a. Ballet des Baccanales - b. Ballet des feus - c. Ballet des Matelotz
Dances From Terpsichore: Pierre CERTON: La, la, la, je ne l'ose dire
Dances From Terpsichore: Bransle simple 1( La, la, la, je ne l'ose dire)
Dances From Terpsichore: Bransle double 3
Dances From Terpsichore: a. Bransle Gay 1 - b. Bransle de Montirande
Dances From Terpsichore: Bransle De La Torche
Dances From Terpsichore: Adrianus VALERIUS - La Boree
Dances From Terpsichore: La Bouree
Dances From Terpsichore: Pavane de Spaigne
Dances From Terpsichore: Spagnoletta
Dances From Terpsichore: La Canarie
Dances From Terpsichore: Orazio VECCHI - So ben mi ch'ha bon tempo
Dances From Terpsichore: Courante (So ben mi ch'ha bon tempo)
Dances From Terpsichore: Courante
Dances From Terpsichore: a. Courante - b. Courante - c. Courante
Dances From Terpsichore: Courante
Dances From Terpsichore: Courante La Mouline
Dances From Terpsichore: Volte
Dances From Terpsichore: Volte
Dances From Terpsichore: a. Volte - b. Volte - c. Volte
Dances From Terpsichore: Volte
Dances From Terpsichore: Volte
Michael Praetorius, German composer and observer of things musical, was one of the most important musicians of the mid-17th century. His encyclopedia of musical instruments, Syntagma Musicum, richly illustrated and annotat... more »ed, has in many instances given us our only description of the bewildering variety of musical noisemaking devices in use at the time. Terpsichore, similarly, is a collection of mostly French dance music that has never ceased to inspire players and listeners. It's the source for much of what we now call "Renaissance" music, even though it actually dates from about a hundred years later, and no early-music fair or festival would be complete without it. These performances, by an appropriately costumed Dutch early-music group, have the right sense of fun, and their instrumental arrangements are both zesty and colorful. Delightful. --David Hurwitz« less
Michael Praetorius, German composer and observer of things musical, was one of the most important musicians of the mid-17th century. His encyclopedia of musical instruments, Syntagma Musicum, richly illustrated and annotated, has in many instances given us our only description of the bewildering variety of musical noisemaking devices in use at the time. Terpsichore, similarly, is a collection of mostly French dance music that has never ceased to inspire players and listeners. It's the source for much of what we now call "Renaissance" music, even though it actually dates from about a hundred years later, and no early-music fair or festival would be complete without it. These performances, by an appropriately costumed Dutch early-music group, have the right sense of fun, and their instrumental arrangements are both zesty and colorful. Delightful. --David Hurwitz
"This selection of music from Praetorius' Terpsichore (a small selection from over 300 individual pieces) is very enjoyable. It spans several different styles from few instruments to the whole kit and kaboodle, and voice. You can tell they had fun in those days. I keep this one in my car and listen to it over and over from start to finish, never needing to skip a track. If you are interested in Renaissance music, this is your ticket; and the price is right."
Good fun, variety, and versatility.
John Austin | Kangaroo Ground, Australia | 04/09/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"What we call Renaissance Dance Music has enjoyed increasing popularity in recent decades. No self-respecting record catalogue can afford to be without it. Naxos offers this 57-minute CD, comprising 28 items from Michael Praetorius's collection "Terpsichore" of 1612. Nowhere in the published collection was instrumentation specified, hence modern groups such as this have fun "setting" each piece for the combinations of period instruments they play. Sometimes some fancy percussion is added to help point the dance rhythms. Good fun, variety, and versatility are to be heard in the work of this fine Swedish ensemble, marred slightly by a narrow recording spectrum that lacks high and low frequencies. A reproduction of "The Peasant Dance" by Pieter Breugel the Elder adorns the front cover."
Lively melodies, infectious fun
Mark Kolakowski | Fair Haven, NJ United States | 12/06/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If "early" or "renaissance" music appeals to you, Praetorius' Dances from Terpsichore should be a keystone of your collection. The melodies are lively, the gaiety is palpable. The performances on this disc are indeed spirited, with a nice balance between foot-pounding numbers and more stately melodies. Some selections include vocals (mainly in old French), which are entrancing. Even if this period of music isn't quite your favorite, this super-cheap disc definitely is worth a try; you may even change your tastes as a result of hearing it. By the way, Mr. Hurwitz' review has one error: the main performers are Swedish, not Dutch, and they are joined by a Swiss group on several tracks."
Great Music, Great Price
Eileen O'Brien | Amherst, NH, USA | 01/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been a Praetorius fan since 1965 when I was a teenager, and I will always buy recordings featuring his music. I've had to re-order this particular CD again because I wore a hole in it playing it in the car, at home, hotel rooms, you name it. This CD is a lot of fun. One can dance to the tunes, hum along, and just kick back and relax ... not recommended when driving a car, however. Praetorius was also a "serious" religious musician, and this is a nice, secular change from his heavier stuff. Highly recommended!"
Not just beautiful
W. Jamison | Eagle River, Ak United States | 02/24/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This music is not just beautiful but also serves as a great period piece that can be used in class to set a mood. This is clearly secular and contrasts nicely with other music that is religious to show that all people's minds were not just on the heavens -- but were also, at least occasionally, on earth as well. This is music that is light and lifts the spirit --then I am sure as well as now. Play this for students and they will like it."