Dance Music of the French Baroque brings together information on rhythm from the interrelated fields of music, dance, poetry, rhetoric, and philosophy. Part I is devoted to the various factors involved in dance rhythms, including tempos, rhythmic feet, dance steps, declamation of lyrics, instrumental articulation, and performance of ornaments.
Part II describes in alphabetic order the fifteen most frequently encountered dances of the period and identifies the most typical performance of each in relation to the factors discussed in Part I. With reference to numerous illustrations and musical examples, it clearly conveys the manner in which the allemandes, bourées, chaconnes, gigues, etc., may be executed. This practical book presents a myriad of information in a form that is easy to use yet as graceful as the dances it describes.
" ... an extremely valuable resource." Early Keyboard Journal "This is a fascinating, stimulating and challenging book." Music Journal " ... exceptionally thorough job ... quite effective in its blend of wide-ranging research and practical information ..." Continuo "This is a most useful book." Early Music "... belongs on the shelf of anyone seriously interested in Baroque dance and music. Mather and Karns have done a great service by making so much important information easily accessible ..." Dance Research Journal
