DLXVIII. PRAETORIUS, Michael: Six Dances from Terpsichore

DLXVIII. PRAETORIUS, Michael (1571-1621)

Six Dances from Terpsichore (1612)
1. Entrée -- Courante
2. Gavotte
3. Spagnoletta
4. La Bouré
5. Ballet
6. Volte
Collegium Terpsichore
Fritz Neumeyer, cond.
(14:43)

The son of a Lutheran pastor, he studied divinity and philosophy before entering the court of Wolfenbüttel as organist, and later Kapellmeister under Henry Julius, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg. He was also a great music theorist.

Most of Praetorius's works were written for the Church; these dances are some of his only secular music that survived.

Entrée -- Courante

La Bouré

Ballet

Notice how he dips into the minor midway:

 

Volte

Check out how Praetorius creates a rhythm of four, with music written in three!