Composer

:

John Playford

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Miscellaneous

The English Dancing Master is a collection of English country dance tunes and instructions for dancing, compiled and published by John Playford in 1651. The book was immensely popular and went through many editions, with the last one being published in 1728. The English Dancing Master is considered to be one of the most important sources of information on English country dance and music from the 17th century. The book is divided into three parts, each containing a number of dances. The first part contains dances for two people, the second part contains dances for three people, and the third part contains dances for four or more people. Each dance is accompanied by a tune, which is printed in musical notation, and instructions for the steps and figures of the dance. The English Dancing Master is notable for its inclusion of many traditional English folk tunes, as well as tunes from other European countries. The book also includes some original compositions by Playford himself. The tunes are written in a variety of styles, including jigs, hornpipes, and reels. The dances in The English Dancing Master are characterized by their simplicity and elegance. They are designed to be performed by ordinary people, rather than trained dancers, and the steps and figures are easy to learn. The dances are also notable for their social nature, with many of them involving partners facing each other and interacting in various ways. The English Dancing Master was first published in 1651, during the reign of Charles I. It was an immediate success and went through many editions over the next century. The book was also influential in the development of English country dance, which continued to be popular throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. In conclusion, The English Dancing Master is a seminal work in the history of English country dance and music. Its popularity and influence have endured for centuries, and it remains an important source of information and inspiration for dancers and musicians today.

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