Date:Late 16th century Description:Washerwoman’s Bransle (also known as Branle des Lavandières) is a lively French dance from the Renaissance period. It belongs to the family of branles—circle or line dances popular in court and country settings across France and beyond. This particular dance is light-hearted and humorous in character, often …
Date:Early 17th century (published 1609) Description:The Pigeon is a lively, rhythmic English madrigal by Thomas Ravenscroft. It is characterised by its playful melody and engaging harmonies, typical of the type of part-songs Ravenscroft was known for. The piece is often performed as a four-part madrigal, with lively interactions between the …
Date:Early 17th century (published 1611) Description:The Maid She Went a-Milking by Thomas Ravenscroft is a lively, light-hearted English folk song with a humorous and playful character. It tells the story of a young maid who goes milking, with the repeated refrain emphasizing the innocence and simplicity of the task. This …
Date:1609 Description:“I Pray You Good Mother” is a charming English song by Thomas Ravenscroft, included in his Deuteromelia (1609). This piece is a three-part round (catch) and is a good example of the playful and conversational nature of English madrigals and catches from the period. The song has a catchy, …
Date:Early 16th century (c. 1500–1520) Description:“Pleni sunt Caeli” is a sacred Latin motet composed by Pierre de la Rue, a prominent Flemish composer of the Renaissance. The title, meaning “Heaven and earth are full of Your glory,” is taken from the Sanctus of the Catholic Mass. This motet is characterised …
Date:16th century (likely composed c. 1590) Description:“Phyllis Farewell” is a Renaissance English madrigal composed by Thomas Belston, a lesser-known English composer of the period. The piece is a parting song in which the singer bids farewell to Phyllis, a beloved figure. Like many madrigals of the time, it blends themes …
Date:14th century (melody); text found in Piae Cantiones, 1582 Description:“Personent Hodie” is a Latin Christmas carol with medieval origins, widely associated with the collection Piae Cantiones, a book of songs preserved in Finland and first published in 1582. The melody likely dates from the 14th century and is sometimes linked …
Date:Late 15th century or early 16th century Description:Tinternell is a lively and well-known dance tune, often associated with the Renaissance period. It is commonly categorised as a volta, a type of dance in triple time. The melody is bright and repetitive, with a rhythmic structure that invites movement, making it …
Date:Late 16th century Description:The Scottish Bransle (also spelled branle or brawl) is a Renaissance dance tune included in Thoinot Arbeau’s Orchésographie (1589), a dance manual that describes popular dances of the time along with their music and choreography. Despite its name, the Scottish Bransle is not of Scottish origin but …
Date:Late 16th century (likely composed c. 1590s) Description:The Queen’s Alman is a well-known example of a Renaissance dance, specifically an alman, which was a popular courtly dance in the late 16th century. The alman is generally a lively, upbeat dance in duple time (4/4), often characterised by its steady rhythm …